title: [Sacral neuromodulation in the treatment of intractable constipation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) in patients with intractable constipation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 7 patients with intractable constipation were treated with pereutaneous test stimulation of the S3 nerve root and were assessed by sacral never stimulation system in our department from January 2013 to January 2014. Four of these 7 patients received operation for constipation before. The efficacy was assessed by bowel habit diary, clinic constipation scores, subjective questionnaire and clinical signs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The constipation symptoms were improved significantly in all the 7 patients. The frequency and volume of defecation per week were increased obviously, and the average urine was increased. Six patients underwent permanent implantation of the SNS system. After a median 4 months follow-up, the defecation frequency increased from 0.6 ± 0.5 to 8.0 ± 2.5 per week (P<0.01), and the defecation time decreased from (22.9 ± 11.5) to (3.7 ± 0.8) min (P<0.01). The Cleveland clinic constipation score decreased from 24.6 ± 4.2 to 9.0 ± 0.9 (P<0.01), and the visual analogue scale(VAS) score increased from 8.1 ± 0.9 to 82.5 ± 5.2 (P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SNM is a clinically efficacious, minimally invasive and safe new technique, which offers an alternative treatment for the patients with intractable constipation resistant to conservative treatment, especially for the patients refractory to traditional operations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Digestive Surgery, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China. zhaoqc@fmmu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Jianyong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Shisen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yongzhan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nie
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Mian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yanran
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Haihong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Guanjun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: Guosheng
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Qingchuan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D003248:Constipation / Q000628:therapy*; D003672:Defecation; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D006801:Humans; D012447:Sacrum; D016896:Treatment Outcome