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Short‐term outcome following percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence: a single‐centre prospective study
Author(s) -
Hotouras A.,
Thaha M. A.,
Boyle D. J.,
Allison M. E.,
Currie A.,
Knowles C. H.,
Chan C. L. H.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
colorectal disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.029
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1463-1318
pISSN - 1462-8910
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-1318.2011.02906.x
Subject(s) - medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , prospective cohort study , physical therapy , percutaneous , fecal incontinence , surgery , nursing
Aim Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is increasingly being used as a treatment for faecal incontinence (FI). The evidence for its efficacy is limited to a few studies involving small numbers of patients. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of PTNS in patients with urge, passive and mixed FI. Method A prospective cohort of 100 patients with FI was studied. Continence scores were determined before treatment and following 12 sessions of PTNS using a validated questionnaire [Cleveland Clinic Florida (CCF)‐FI score]. The deferment time and average number of weekly incontinence episodes before and after 12 sessions of treatment were estimated from a bowel dairy kept by the patient. Quality of life was assessed prior to and on completion of 12 sessions of PTNS using a validated questionnaire [Rockwood Faecal Incontinence Quality of Life (QoL)]. Results One hundred patients (88 women) of median age of 57 years were included. Patients with urge FI ( n = 25) and mixed FI ( n = 60) demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in the mean CCF‐FI score (11.0 ± 4.1 to 8.3 ± 4.8 and 12.8 ± 3.7 to 9.1 ± 4.4) with an associated improvement in the QoL score. This effect was not observed in patients with purely passive FI ( n = 15). Conclusion The study demonstrates that PTNS benefits patients with urge and mixed FI, at least in the short term.