Transcutaneous electrical posterior tibial nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence: effects on symptoms and quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
Faecal incontinence is a disabling symptom which may be particularly difficult to treat. Recent studies showed that transcutaneous electrical posterior tibial nerve stimulation may improve faecal continence. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this technique and tried to individualize predictive factors of success.


METHODS
Twenty-four patients suffering from faecal incontinence were treated 20 min per day by applying transcutaneous electrical posterior tibial nerve stimulation for 3 months. A clinical evaluation was performed at the end of treatment, with Wexner's score and analogical scales for symptoms. After 3 months, if the treatment was successful, patients were proposed to continue on the treatment. Predictive factors such as age, symptom duration, proctologic history, obstetrical history, ano-rectal manometric data and quality-of-life score were also analysed.


RESULTS
At 3 months, 13 patients (54%) reported a significant symptomatic improvement with a significant modification in the Wexner's score (14 vs 12, p < 0.025). At a median follow-up of 15 months, there were still 11 patients whose condition was improved.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows encouraging mid-term results, and even if further randomized studies are necessary, transcutaneous electrical posterior tibial nerve stimulation may be a new and easy-to-use therapeutic option to treat faecal incontinence.
Hospices Civils de Lyon, Physiologie digestive, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France. vittonv@yahoo.com
Veronique
V
Vitton
Vitton
V
Veronique
Henri
H
Damon
Damon
D
Henri
Sabine
S
Roman
Roman
R
Sabine
François
F
Mion
Mion
M
François
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D004561:Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation / Q000379:methods*