Sacral nerve stimulation for the treatment of faecal incontinence related to dysfunction of the internal anal sphincter

Abstract

Purpose: In patients with faecal incontinence related to isolated internal anal sphincter (IAS) disruption, conservative management is the mainstay of treatment. Surgical repair of the internal sphincter is not successful. This study evaluated the use of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) in those with faecal incontinence and IAS disruption in whom medical and behavioural treatments had failed. Methods: Nine patients (seven women, median age 44 years, range 39-62 years), with a history of obstetric or iatrogenic anal sphincter trauma, underwent a trial of SNS. All had passive faecal incontinence, low resting anal sphincter pressure and full thickness IAS muscle disruption of greater than 30° rad..