title: Sacral nerve stimulation for constipation: do we still miss something? Role of psychological evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to try to understand if psychological evaluation of patients candidate to sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) could be a potential selection criterion to identify those patients who could successfully respond to this treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2005 to 2007, 68 patients with slow transit constipation were identified, and all of them fulfill the selection criteria for the SNS treatment. The MMPI-2 test was purposed to all the patients. Wexner score, bowel movements, and SF36 were recorded in all the patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-three patients (33.8%) refused the psychological evaluation. Forty-five patients completed the test: only 13 patients (19.1%) had a score in the normal range of the scales of the MMPI-2 and were implanted with the temporary test for SNS. After the screening period, 11 patients (84.6%) reported more than 50% improvement of bowel movements per week and no need of laxatives, so they were definitively implanted. The mean follow-up period was 22 months (range 12-36). The mean number of bowel movements per week and Wexner score were significantly improved after 1 year (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A complete and accurate psychological evaluation could be very important in the selection of the patients with STC that could benefit from SNS.
authors.affiliation: Pelvic Floor Center, Hospital Franchini, Montecchio Emilia, Italy.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carriero
authors.forename: Jacopo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martellucci
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Talento
authors.forename: Carlo Andrea
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ferrari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003248:Constipation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003672:Defecation; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012447:Sacrum / Q000294:innervation*; D055815:Young Adult