title: Effects of Sacral Neuromodulation on Urinary and Fecal Incontinence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fecal incontinence is defined as involuntary passage of stool through the anus. It may vary from soiling to complete evacuation. This involuntary loss of feces, flatus or urge incontinence adversely affects quality of life. Urinary urge incontinence is characterized by symptoms of frequency, urgency and urge incontinence (either alone or in combination). Urgency frequency syndrome is defined as symptoms of frequency and urgency without incontinence episodes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of sacral neuromodulation on these pathologies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following a detailed investigation, 51 patients with either urinary or fecal incontinence, or both, who did not respond to medical and behavioral treatment were offered the temporary implant. Of the 51 patients 40 showed improvement and advanced for a permanent device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After a mean follow-up of 5 years (range 1-8), there was a significant reduction in the number of incontinence episodes (P < 0.0001), and the number of pads used also declined significantly (P < 0.0001). A marked improvement in quality of life was reported by 71.4% of the women and 58.3% of the men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sacral neuromodulation as shown in this study appears to be a promising treatment for urinary and fecal incontinence and can dramatically improve patients' quality of life.
authors.forename: Ada
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Taragano
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Condrea
authors.forename: Ami
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sidi
authors.forename: Yshai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ron
authors.forename: Shimon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ginath
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012447:Sacrum; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000628:therapy*