title: Sacral nerve stimulation in the treatment of fecal incontinence - the experience of a pelvic floor center : short term results.
abstract: The aim of this paper is to present the data pertinent to the experiences of our Pelvic Floor Center on the utilisation of SNS in the treatment of fecal incontinence and compare these data to the data of current literature.
  
  
  
  All patients who had had SNS treatment for fecal incontinence between the dates of 1st April 2008 and 1st April 2011 were enrolled in the study. We considered a 50% reduction of fecal incontinence episodes as a success of the test phase. The score used for assessment was the Cleveland Clinic Florida-Fecal Incontinence score (CCF-FI).
  
  
  
  The 21 patients treated for fecal incontinence (19 ♀ and 2 ♂, average age 59.7 [ 26-73] years) were sub-divided on the basis of the presence or absence of sphincter damage (group A1 had damage while group A2 did not). A patient (group A1) was excluded from the study as the result of the external connector breaking during the test phase. Of the 20 remaining patients (9 from group A1 and 11 from A2), 14 (70%) felt benefit and subsequently underwent definitive stimulator implantation. The variation between the pre-operative CCF-FI and the value at 6 months was statistically significant both in group A1 (p=0.009) and in group A2 (p=0.003). The only complication reported was one case (7.1%) of infection of the definitive stimulator.
  
  
  
  SNS represents an effective treatment for patients with fecal incontinence. The results have been encouraging, and in line with current literature.
authors.affiliation: Nuovo Ospedale Civile di Sassuolo ( Modena), Pelvic Floor Center, Department of Proctology, Chief Roberto Dino Villani.
authors.forename: Roberto Paolo
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Iachetta
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cola
authors.forename: Roberto Dino
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Villani
keywords: case series; fecal Incontinence; implantation; neurostimulation; sacral nerve stimulation; sacral root stimulator