title: A review of sacral nerve stimulation parameters used in the treatment of faecal incontinence.
abstract: Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) was originally developed in the field of urinary incontinence. Without adaptation, it was subsequently applied to treat faecal incontinence. SNS has now become a first line therapy for this socially disabling condition, however the mechanism of action is unknown. This review examines the evidence for stimulation parameters currently used for SNS in humans and considers the potential electrophysiological effects of changing these parameters. However, without a proper understanding of the physiology of SNS, changing stimulation parameters remains empirical.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. Electronic address: liam.devane@ucd.ie.
authors.forename: Liam A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Devane
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. Electronic address: judith.evers@ucdconnect.ie.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Evers
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. Electronic address: james.jones@ucd.ie.
authors.forename: James F X
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; Centre for Colorectal Disease, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland. Electronic address: ronan.oconnell@ucd.ie.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ronan O'Connell
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus
keywords: Faecal, Fecal, anal, incontinence; Parameters; SNS; Sacral nerve stimulation; Sacral neuromodulation