title: Preliminary results of peripheral transcutaneous neuromodulation in the treatment of idiopathic fecal incontinence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Few therapeutic tools are available for treating idiopathic anal incontinence. Sacral neuromodulation appears to be effective in selected patients but requires surgical implantation of a permanent electrical stimulator. The aim of this work was to assess the efficiency of posterior tibial nerve (PTN) transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the treatment of anal idiopathic incontinence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten women were treated by PTN TENS, 20 min a day for 4 weeks. Functional results were evaluated by Wexner's incontinence score and anorectal manometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight of the ten patients showed a 60% mean improvement of their incontinence score after 4 weeks. This improvement remained stable over the 12-week follow-up period. Manometric parameters did not differ before and after stimulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PTN neuromodulation without surgically implanted electrode could represent a safe and low-cost alternative to permanent sacral neuromodulation for idiopathic anal incontinence.
authors.affiliation: Service de Coloproctologie, Clinique des Cèdres, 31700, Cornebarrieu, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Queralto
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Portier
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Cabarrot
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bonnaud
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chotard
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nadrigny
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lazorthes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D013979:Tibial Nerve; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods*