title: Sacral nerve stimulation in the treatment of bowel dysfunction from imperforate anus: A case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bowel dysfunction (fecal incontinence and constipation) presents in over 50% of patients after treatment of congenital anal malformations. Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) for the treatment of fecal incontinence improves function in the majority of patients. We present a case report of the treatment of bowel dysfunction with sacral nerve stimulation in a patient with a history of an imperforate anus.
  
  
  METHODS
  A twenty year-old female with a history of imperforate anus at birth, repaired during infancy with anorectoplasty, presented with fecal incontinence and constipation. Since childhood, she had been suffering from intermittent constipation with worsening fecal incontinence in early adulthood. Examination revealed mild anal stenosis and mucosal prolapse. Endoanal ultrasound demonstrated intact internal and external sphincter with low resting and squeeze pressures on anal manometry. Flexible sigmoidoscopy was normal. The patient underwent permanent sacral nerve stimulation with a primary goal of improvement in continence and, secondarily, for the alleviation of intermittent chronic constipation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At 15 month follow-up, the patient had improvement in fecal incontinence (CCIS of 14 pre-SNS to 1 post-SNS), constipation (CCCS of 28 pre-SNS to 20 post-SNS), and quality of life (FIQOL improved in lifestyle (3.7), coping/behavior (3.4), self perception (3.9), and social embarrassment (4.5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sacral nerve stimulation for the treatment of bowel dysfunction in adults secondary to imperforate anus can be performed safely and with good results.
authors.affiliation: Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 South Wood Street (MC 958), Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
authors.forename: Saleh M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Eftaiha
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Royal Columbian Hospital, University of British Columbia, New Westminister, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Melich
authors.affiliation: Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, 1550 North Northwest Highway #107, Park Ridge, IL 60068, USA.
authors.forename: Ajit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.affiliation: Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 South Wood Street (MC 958), Chicago, IL 60612, USA; Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, 1550 North Northwest Highway #107, Park Ridge, IL 60068, USA.
authors.forename: Slawomir J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Marecik
authors.affiliation: Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 840 South Wood Street (MC 958), Chicago, IL 60612, USA; Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, 1550 North Northwest Highway #107, Park Ridge, IL 60068, USA.
authors.forename: Leela M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.affiliation: Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, 1550 North Northwest Highway #107, Park Ridge, IL 60068, USA. Electronic address: jpark18@aol.com.
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: Case report; Constipation; Fecal incontinence; Imperforate anus; Sacral nerve stimulation