Laparoscopic modified mesh rectopexy: medium-term results of a novel approach for external rectal prolapse.

AIM: Rectal prolapse is a common and significantly debilitating condition. Surgical correction is usually required. The two most common abdominal approaches are ventral mesh rectopexy and posterior suture rectopexy. Both may be complicated, respectively, by either mesh-related complications or significant postoperative constipation. We report the outcome of a novel rectopexy operation which combines aspects of both the aforementioned approaches, for the treatment of external rectal prolapse (ERP). METHOD: The technique involves laparoscopic partial posterior-lateral rectal mobilization of the rectum with posterior suture fixation to the sacral promontory and placement of an absorbable mesh in the rectovaginal space. Data were collected on postoperative complications, prolapse recurrence, mesh-related complications and the assessment of quality of life. RESULTS: Eighty patients underwent a modified mesh rectopexy for ERP. Seventy-seven were women. The median age was 67.5 years. Almost a third had undergone a previous rectal prolapse repair. Recurrences were seen in 11 (13.8%). No mesh-related complications were seen. Eleven patients reported postoperative constipation. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic modified mesh rectopexy may be a safe and effective operation for the treatment of ERP.

Evaluation of the Ventral Hernia Working Group classification for long-term outcome using English Hospital Episode Statistics: a population study.

PURPOSE: The Ventral Hernia Working Group (VHWG) classification of ventral/incisional hernia (IH) was developed by expert consensus in 2010. Subsequently, Kanters et al. have demonstrated the validity of a modified version of the system for predicting short-term outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the modified system for predicting hernia recurrence. METHODS: Patients undergoing IH surgery (defined by OPCS codes) in the England Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database, from 1997 to 2012, were identified. Baseline demographics at index hernia operation and episodes of further hernia surgery (FHS) were recorded. Risk factors for FHS were identified using cox regression and evaluated against the modified-VHWG grade using receiver-operating characteristics (ROC). RESULTS: The final analysis included 214,082 index IH operations. Of these, 52.6% were female and mean age was 56.59 (SD15.9). An admission for FHS was found in 8.3% cases (17,714 patients). Multi-variate cox regression revealed contaminated hernia (p < 0.0001), pre-existing IBD (p < 0.0001) and hernia comorbidity (p = 0.05) to be significantly related to long-term FHS. Classifying patients using these factors, according to the modified-VHWG classification, revealed that compared to Grade 1, the hazard ratio (HR) of FHS increased in Grade 2 (HR 1.19; p < 0.0001) and further increased in Grade 3 (HR 1.79; p < 0.0001). ROC analysis revealed the area under the curve to be 0.73 (95% CI 0.73-0.74). CONCLUSION: This analysis demonstrates the broad validity of the modified-VHWG classification in discriminating risk for FHS. Inclusion of pre-existing IBD as a factor defining Grade 2 patients would be recommended. This analysis is limited by the absence of certain factors within the HES database, such as BMI.

The COVID-19 pandemic: considerations for resuming normal colorectal services.

This European Society of Coloproctology guidance focuses on a proposed conceptual framework to resume standard service in colorectal surgery. The proposed conceptual framework is a schematic and stepwise approach including: in-depth assessment of damage to non-COVID-19-related colorectal service; the return of service (integration with the COVID-19-specific service and the existing operational continuity planning); safety arrangements in parallel with minimizing downtime; the required support for staff and patients; the aftermath of the pandemic and continued strategic planning. This will be dynamic guidance with ongoing updates using critical appraisal of emerging evidence. We will welcome input from all stakeholders (statutory organizations, healthcare professionals, public and patients). Any new questions, new data and discussion are welcome via https://www.escp.eu.com/guidelines.

Initial experience with SphinKeeper™ intersphincteric implants for faecal incontinence in the UK: a two-centre retrospective clinical audit.

AIM: The SphinKeeper™ artificial bowel sphincter implant is a relatively new surgical technique for the treatment of refractory faecal incontinence. This study presents the first experience in two UK tertiary centres. METHOD: This is a retrospective audit of prospectively collected clinical data in relation to technique, safety, feasibility and short-term effectiveness from patients undergoing surgery from January 2016 to April 2019. Baseline data, intra-operative and postoperative complications, symptoms [using St Mark's incontinence score (SMIS)] and radiological outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients [18 women, median age 57 years (range 27-87)] underwent SphinKeeper. In 30% of the patients, the firing device jammed and not all prostheses were delivered. There were no intra-operative complications and all patients were discharged the same or the following day. SMIS significantly improved from baseline [median -6 points (range -12 to +3); P < 0.00016] with 14/27 (51.9%) patients achieving a 50% reduction in the SMIS score. On postoperative imaging, a median of seven prostheses (range 0-10) were identified with a median of five (range 0-10) optimally placed. There was no relationship between number of well-sited prostheses on postoperative imaging and categorical success based on 50% reduction in SMIS (χ2 test, P = 0.79). CONCLUSION: SphinKeeper appears to be a safe procedure for faecal incontinence. Overall, about 50% patients achieved a meaningful improvement in symptoms. However, clinical benefit was unrelated to the rate of misplaced/migrated implants. This has implications for confidence in proof of mechanism and also the need for technical refinement.

Long-term outcomes after contaminated complex abdominal wall reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Complex abdominal wall repair (CAWR) in a contaminated operative field is a challenge. Available literature regarding long-term outcomes of CAWR comprises studies that often have small numbers and heterogeneous patient populations. This study aims to assess long-term outcomes of modified-ventral hernia working group (VHWG) grade 3 repairs. Because the relevance of hernia recurrence (HR) as the primary outcome for this patient group is contentious, the need for further hernia surgery (FHS) was also assessed in relation to long-term survival. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study with a single prospective follow-up time-point nested in a consecutive series of patients undergoing CAWR in two European national intestinal failure centers. RESULTS: In long-term analysis, 266 modified VHWG grade 3 procedures were included. The overall HR rate was 32.3%. The HR rates for non-crosslinked biologic meshes and synthetic meshes when fascial closure was achieved were 20.3% and 30.6%, respectively. The rates of FHS were 7.2% and 16.7%, and occurred only within the first 3 years. Bridged repairs showed poorer results (fascial closure 22.9% hernia recurrence vs bridged 57.1% recurrence). Overall survival was relatively good with 80% en 70% of the patients still alive after 5 and 10 years, respectively. In total 86.6% of the patients remained free of FHS. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of contaminated CAWR, non-crosslinked biologic mesh shows better results than synthetic mesh. Bridging repairs with no posterior and/or anterior fascial closure have a higher recurrence rate. The overall survival was good and the majority of patients remained free of additional hernia surgery.

The development and validation of risk-stratification models for short-term outcomes following contaminated complex abdominal wall reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Short-term outcomes for patients undergoing contaminated complex abdominal wall reconstruction (CCAWR), including risk stratification, have not been studied in sufficiently high numbers. This study aims to develop and validate risk-stratification models for Clavien-Dindo (CD) grade ≥ 3 complications in patients undergoing CCAWR. METHODS: A consecutive cohort of patients who underwent CCAWR in two European national intestinal failure centers, from January 2004 to December 2015, was identified. Data were collected retrospectively for short-term outcomes and used to develop risk models using logistic regression. A further cohort, from January 2016 to December 2017, was used to validate the models. RESULTS: The development cohort consisted of 272 procedures performed in 254 patients. The validation cohort consisted of 114 patients. The cohorts were comparable in baseline demographics (mean age 58.0 vs 58.1; sex 58.8% male vs 54.4%, respectively). A multi-variate model including the presence of intestinal failure (p < 0.01) and operative time (p < 0.01) demonstrated good discrimination and calibration on validation. Models for wound and intra-abdominal complications were also developed, including pre-operative immunosuppression (p = 0.05), intestinal failure (p = 0.02), increasing operative time (p = 0.04), increasing number of anastomoses (p = 0.01) and the number of previous abdominal operations (p = 0.02). While these models showed reasonable ability to discriminate patients on internal assessment, they were not found to be accurate on external validation. CONCLUSION: Acceptable short-term outcomes after CCAWR are demonstrated. A robust model for the prediction of CD ≥ grade 3 complications has been developed and validated. This model is available online at www.smbari.co.uk/smjconv2.

Management of colonic complications of type IV Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: a systematic review and evidence-based management strategy.

AIM: Type IV Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a connective tissue disorder affecting approximately 1 per 100,000-200,000 people. Life expectancy is reduced secondary to spontaneous vascular rupture or colonic perforation. Surgery carries significant morbidity and mortality. While strategies to manage colonic perforation include primary repair with or without a defunctioning stoma, Hartmann's procedure, total abdominal colectomy with end ileostomy and ileorectal anastomosis, evidence is contradictory and has not previously been evaluated in order to form a treatment strategy. We aim to review the published literature and identify outcome data relating to operative management of colonic perforation in type IV EDS. METHODS: Pubmed, EM-BASE, Cochrane library and Google Scholar were searched with the following details: Ehlers Danlos Syndrome AND colonic surgery. The main outcome measure was re-perforation rates following colonic surgery on patients with type IV EDS. If the nature of surgery and follow up were reported, data were recorded in a SPSS database according to PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: One hundred and nine operations have been described in 51 patients in 44 case series. There were 26 visceral re-perforations, 2 affecting the small intestine and 24 colonic. Survival analysis favoured total abdominal colectomy compared with operations where the colon was left in situ. CONCLUSIONS: Total abdominal colectomy with end ileostomy or ileorectal anastomosis are the safest strategies after colonic perforation in type IV EDS. Anastomotic leak rates are high. End colostomy is high risk for colonic re-perforation and anastomotic leak rates are extremely high. Restoration of colonic continuity should be avoided.

Incisional hernia and enterocutaneous fistula in patients with chronic intestinal failure: prevalence and risk factors in a cohort of patients referred to a tertiary centre.

AIM: This study aims to determine the prevalence of incisional hernia (IH) and enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) in patients with intestinal failure (IF) referred to a tertiary centre and to identify factors associated with their development. METHOD: A retrospective case note review was undertaken of a prospectively maintained database of all patients on home parenteral nutrition between 2011 and 2016 at a UK tertiary referral centre for IF. Risk factors were identified using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The database search identified 447 patients, of whom 349 (78.1%) had surgery prior to developing IF. Eighty-one (23.2%) patients had an IH and 123 (35.2%) had an ECF at the time of referral. Of these, 51 (14.6%) had both IH and ECF. IH was associated with a high body mass index (P = 0.05), a history of a major surgical complication resulting in IF (P = 0.01), previous emergency surgery (P = 0.04), increasing number of operations (P = 0.02) and surgical site infection (SSI; P = 0.01). ECF was associated with complications relating to earlier surgery. (P ≤ .001), previous treatment with an open abdomen (P = 0.03), SSI (P = 0.001), intra-abdominal collection (P ≤ 0.001) and anastomotic leak (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: In this series, patients with IF had a prevalence of IH which was more than double that expected following elective laparotomy (about 10%) and one in three had an ECF. Risk factors for IH and ECF are discussed.

Acceptability, effectiveness and safety of a Renew® anal insert in patients who have undergone restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

INTRODUCTION: Restorative proctocolectomy has gained acceptance in the surgical management of medically refractive ulcerative colitis and cancer prevention in familial adenomatous polyposis. Incontinence following restorative proctocolectomy occurs in up to 25% of patients overnight. The Renew® insert is an inert single-use device which acts as an anal plug. The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability, effectiveness and safety of the Renew® insert in patients who have undergone restorative proctocolectomy. The device has yet to be assessed in patients who have undergone restorative proctocolectomy. METHOD: This was a prospective study exploring the acceptability, effectiveness and safety of the Renew® insert in improving incontinence in patients who had undergone restorative proctocolectomy. A total of 15 patients with incontinence were asked to use the Renew® insert for 14 days following their standard care. The Incontinence Questionnaire-Bowels was used pre- and posttreatment to assess response and patients were asked to report the perceived acceptability, effectiveness and safety of the device at the end of the trial. RESULTS: The device was acceptable to 8/15 (53%) of patients and was effective in 6/15 (40%). Only 2/15 (13%) of patients raised any safety concerns, and these were minor. The device was associated with a significant reduction in night seepage (P = 0.034). CONCLUSION: In a small study, the Renew® insert can be both acceptable and effective and is also associated with few safety concerns. It is also associated with significant reductions in night-time seepage.

A meta-analysis comparing open anterior component separation with posterior component separation and transversus abdominis release in the repair of midline ventral hernias.

PURPOSE: This study aims to compare the outcomes of posterior component separation and transversus abdominis release (PCSTAR) with the open anterior component separation (OACS) technique. OACS, first described by Ramirez et al. (Plast Reconstr Surg 86(3):519-526, 1990), has become an established technique for local myofascial advancement in abdominal hernia surgery. PCSTAR, described by Novitsky et al. (Am J Surg 204(5):709-716, 2012), is being used more frequently and is rapidly becoming the technique of choice in complex ventral hernia repair. METHODS: Analysis was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Pubmed databases was performed. Studies reporting exclusively on midline ventral hernia repair were reviewed. Studies describing PCSTAR were selected and compared to matched studies describing OACS. Meta-analysis was used to compare outcomes between the two-pooled groups. RESULTS: Seven studies describing 281 cases of PCSTAR for midline incisional hernia using a retromuscular mesh placement were identified. Six comparable studies describing 285 cases of OACS and retromuscular mesh placement were identified from the same search. Pooled analysis demonstrated a hernia recurrence rate of 5.7% (3.0-8.5) for PCSTAR and 9.5% (4.0-14.9) for OACS. Comparative analysis demonstrated no significant difference between hernia recurrence rate (p = 0.23). The use of bridging mesh was not significantly reduced by the use of PCSTAR (3.1%) when compared to ACS (7.5%) (p = 0.22). No significant difference was found in wound complication rates between PCSTAR and OACS, respectively, 'superficial' 10.9 vs 21.6% (p = 0.15); and 'deep' 9.5 vs 12.7% (p = 0.53). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest PCSTAR have comparable outcomes to OACS. This analysis is limited by the lack of comparative studies and heterogenicity in the OACS group.

Major Complex Abdominal Wall Repair in Contaminated Fields with Use of a Non-cross-linked Biologic Mesh: A Dual-Institutional Experience.

BACKGROUND: Data on the use of biologic mesh in abdominal wall repair in complex cases remain sparse. Aim of this study was to evaluate a non-cross-linked porcine acellular dermal matrix for repair of complex contaminated abdominal wall defects. METHODS: Retrospective observational cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing abdominal wall repair with use of Strattice™ Reconstructive Tissue Matrix (LifeCell Corporation, Oxford, UK) between January 2011 and February 2015 at two National Intestinal Failure Units. RESULTS: Eighty patients were identified. Indications for abdominal wall repair included enterocutaneous fistula takedown (n = 50), infected synthetic mesh removal (n = 9), restoration of continuity or creation of a stoma with concomitant ventral hernia repair (n = 12), and others (n = 9). The median defect area was 143.0 cm2 (interquartile range or IQR 70.0-256.0 cm2). All had a grade III or IV hernia. Component separation technique (CST) was performed in 54 patients (68%). Complete fascial closure was not possible despite CST and biologic mesh-assisted traction (bridged repair) in 20 patients (25%). In-hospital mortality was 1%. Thirty-six patients (45%) developed a wound infection. None required mesh removal. Of 76 patients with a median clinical follow-up of 7 months (IQR 4-15) available for analysis, 10 patients (13%) developed a hernia recurrence, of whom 3 had undergone bridged repairs. Seven patients developed a postoperative (recurrent) fistula (9%). CONCLUSION: Repair of challenging and contaminated abdominal wall defects can be done effectively with non-cross-linked biologic mesh and component separation technique without the need for mesh removal despite wound infections.

Complex abdominal wall reconstruction in the setting of active infection and contamination: a systematic review of hernia and fistula recurrence rates.

AIM: Minimal evidence exists to guide surgeons on the risk of complications when performing abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) in the presence of active infection, contamination or enterocutaneous fistula. This study aims to establish the outcomes of contaminated complex AWR. METHOD: Analysis was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Systematic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Pubmed databases was performed. Studies reporting exclusively on single-staged repair of contaminated complex AWR were included. Pooled data were analysed to establish rates of complications. RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included, consisting of 601 contaminated complex AWRs, of which 233 included concurrent enterocutaneous fistula repair. The average follow-up period was 26.7 months. There were 146 (24.3%) reported hernia recurrences. When stratified by repair method, suture repair alone had the lowest rate of recurrence (14.2%), followed by nonabsorbable synthetic mesh reinforcement (21.2%), biological mesh (25.8%) and absorbable synthetic mesh (53.1%). Hernia recurrence was higher when fascial closure was not achieved. Of the 233 enterocutaneous fistula repairs, fistula recurrence was seen in 24 patients (10.3%). Suture repair alone had the lowest rate of recurrence (1.6%), followed by nonbiological mesh (10.3%) and biological mesh reinforcement (12%). Forty-six per cent of patients were reported as having a wound-related complication and the mortality rate was 2.5%. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to perform simultaneous enterocutaneous fistula repair and AWR as rates of recurrent fistula are comparable with series describing enterocutaneous fistula repair alone. Hernias recurred in nearly a quarter of cases. This analysis is limited by a lack of comparative data and variability of outcome reporting.

The role of the defaecating pouchogram in the assessment of evacuation difficulty after restorative proctocolectomy and pouch-anal anastomosis.

AIM: Restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the most frequently performed operation for intractable ulcerative colitis (UC) and for many patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). It can be complicated by a functional evacuation difficulty, which is not well understood. We aimed to evaluate the role of defaecating pouchography in an attempt to assess the mechanism of evacuation difficulty in pouch patients. METHOD: All RPC patients who had had a defaecating pouchogram for evacuation difficulty at one hospital between 2006 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The findings and features were correlated with the symptoms. Demographic, clinical and radiological variables were analysed. RESULTS: Eighty-seven [55 (63%) female] patients aged 47.6 ± 12.5 years (mean standard ± SD) were identified. Thirty-five had a mechanical outlet obstruction and 52 had no identified mechanical cause to explain the evacuation difficulty. The mean age of these 52 [33 (63%) female] patients was 48.2 ± 13 years. Of these 52 patients, significantly more used anti-diarrhoeal medication (P = 0.029), complained of a high frequency of defaecation (P = 0.005), experienced a longer time to the initiation of defaecation (P = 0.049) and underwent pouchoscopy (P = 0.003). Biofeedback appeared to improve the symptoms in 7 of 16 patients with a nonmechanical defaecatory difficulty. The most common findings on defaecating pouchography included residual barium of more than 33% after an attempted evacuation (46%, n = 24), slow evacuation (35%, n = 18) and mucosal irregularity (33%, n = 17). Correlation between radiological features and symptoms showed a statistically significant relationship between straining, anal pain, incontinence and urgency with patterns of anismus or pelvic floor descent or weakness seen on the defaecating pouchogram. Symptoms of incomplete evacuation, difficulty in the initiation of defaecation, high defaecatory frequency and abdominal pain were not correlated with the radiological features of the pouchogram. CONCLUSION: Defaecating pouchography may be useful for identifying anismus and pelvic floor disorders in pouch patients who have symptoms of straining, anal pain or incontinence. In patients with a high frequency of defaecation and abdominal pain it does not provide clinically meaningful information. Patients who complain of straining, incontinence, anal pain or urgency and have anismus or pelvic floor disorders may benefit from behavioural therapy.

European Society of Coloproctology consensus on the surgical management of intestinal failure in adults.

Intestinal failure (IF) is a debilitating condition of inadequate nutrition due to an anatomical and/or physiological deficit of the intestine. Surgical management of patients with acute and chronic IF requires expertise to deal with technical challenges and make correct decisions. Dedicated IF units have expertise in patient selection, operative risk assessment and multidisciplinary support such as nutritional input and interventional radiology, which dramatically improve the morbidity and mortality of this complex condition and can beneficially affect the continuing dependence on parenteral nutritional support. Currently there is little guidance to bridge the gap between general surgeons and specialist IF surgeons. Fifteen European experts took part in a consensus process to develop guidance to support surgeons in the management of patients with IF. Based on a systematic literature review, statements were prepared for a modified Delphi process. The evidence for each statement was graded using Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence. The current paper contains the statements reflecting the position and practice of leading European experts in IF encompassing the general definition of IF surgery and organization of an IF unit, strategies to prevent IF, management of acute IF, management of wound, fistula and stoma, rehabilitation, intestinal and abdominal reconstruction, criteria for referral to a specialist unit and intestinal transplantation.

A review of sacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence following rectal surgery and radiotherapy.

AIM: Faecal incontinence may occur following rectal surgery and/or radiotherapy for rectal cancer. The aim of this paper was to review the evidence to support the use of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) for patients with incontinence who had undergone rectal surgery or received rectal radiotherapy. METHOD: A search was performed of PubMed, Medline and Embase. All studies which reported the outcome of SNS in patients who had undergone a rectal resection or radiotherapy were reviewed. RESULTS: The first report of SNS following rectal surgery was in 2002. Since then seven further studies have described its effect in patients who have undergone anterior resection or pelvic radiotherapy. The total number of patients was 57. All studies were single group series, which ranged in size from one to 15 patients. The follow-up ranged from 1 to 36 months. The success of peripheral nerve evaluation ranged from 47% to 100%. Permanent SNS improved the symptoms and in some studies this was reflected in improved quality of life. The wide variation of patient factors, operations performed, the dose of radiotherapy given and time from operation makes interpretation of the results difficult. CONCLUSION: Larger studies with better patient selection are needed to investigate the effect of SNS on incontinence following radiotherapy or rectal surgery.

Seven-year experience of enterocutaneous fistula with univariate and multivariate analysis of factors associated with healing: development of a validated scoring system.

AIM: The management of enterocutaneous fistulae (ECF) is complex and challenging. We examined factors associated with fistula healing at a National Intestinal Failure Centre and devised the first scoring system to predict spontaneous fistula healing prior to surgery. METHOD: A retrospective audit of 177 patients (mean age 48.7 years) treated over 7 years was undertaken. Results were compared with a previously reported series from this unit. Univariate and multivariate analyses wete performed on variables to assess relationship with ECF healing. A scoring system was devised and validated on a prospective cohort. RESULTS: One-hundred and fifty patients underwent surgery between January 2003 and December 2009. The overall healing rate following surgery in the current series was 94.6% (82% in the previous series). Mean delay from previous surgery to the current operation was 1 year (compared with 8 months previously). Thirty-day postfistula resection mortality was 0% (compared with 3.5% previously). Twenty-seven patients underwent medical management alone with overall healing rate of 46.4% (vs 19.9%). Multivariate analysis revealed that comorbidity (P = 0.02), source of referral (P = 0.01) and aetiology (P = 0.006) had associations with healing. Almost all patients with scores of 0 and 1 healed, whereas the highest scores healed least frequently. CONCLUSION: Surgical management of ECF is safe and improving. Fistula healing is affected by aetiology, comorbidity and source of referral. The scoring system has the potential to predict ECF healing and can be a useful clinical decision-making tool.

Randomized controlled trial of percutaneous versus transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation in faecal incontinence.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous, transcutaneous and sham transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation was compared in a prospective blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial. METHODS: Patients who had failed conservative treatment for faecal incontinence were randomized to one of three groups: group 1, percutaneous; group 2, transcutaneous; group 3, sham transcutaneous. Patients in groups 1 and 2 received 30-min sessions of posterior tibial nerve stimulation twice weekly for 6 weeks. In group 3, transcutaneous electrodes were placed in position but no stimulation was delivered. Symptoms were measured at baseline and after 6 weeks using a bowel habit diary and St Mark's continence score. Response to treatment was defined as a reduction of at least 50 per cent in weekly episodes of faecal incontinence compared with baseline. RESULTS: Thirty patients (28 women) were enrolled. Nine of 11 patients in group 1, five of 11 in group 2 and one of eight in group 3 had a reduction of at least 50 per cent in weekly episodes of faecal incontinence at the end of the 6-week study phase (P = 0·035). Patients undergoing percutaneous nerve stimulation had a greater reduction in the number of incontinence episodes and were able to defer defaecation for a longer interval than those undergoing transcutaneous and sham stimulation. These improvements were maintained over a 6-month follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Posterior tibial nerve stimulation has short-term benefits in treating faecal incontinence. Percutaneous therapy appears to have superior efficacy to stimulation applied by the transcutaneous route. REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00530933 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Sacral nerve stimulation for constipation.

BACKGROUND: For over 10 years sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) has been used for patients with constipation resistant to conservative treatment. A review of the literature is presented. METHODS: PubMed, MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched for studies demonstrating the use of SNS for the treatment of constipation. RESULTS: Thirteen studies have been published describing the results of SNS for chronic constipation. Of these, three were in children and ten in adults. Test stimulation was successful in 42-100 per cent of patients. In those who proceeded to permanent SNS, up to 87 per cent showed an improvement in symptoms at a median follow-up of 28 months. The success of stimulation varied depending on the outcome measure being used. Symptom improvement correlated with improvement in quality of life and patient satisfaction scores. CONCLUSION: SNS appears to be an effective treatment for constipation, but this needs to be confirmed in larger prospective studies with longer follow-up. Improved outcome measures need to be adopted given the multiple symptoms that constipation may be associated with. Comparison with other established surgical therapies also needs consideration.