title: Radiofrequency Procedure (SECCA®) for Fecal Incontinence: One-Year Experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiofrequency is a treatment option for patients suffering from fecal incontinence.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the one-year follow-up results following the radiofrequency procedure for fecal incontinence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, single-center, observational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one patients underwent the SECCA® radiofrequency procedure, 19 of who completed the one-year of follow-up (Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence score, Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQoL), anorectal manometry, and endoanal ultrasound).
  
  
  METHODS
  Any change in the Fecal Incontinence Score or Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life scales post SECCA® radiofrequency procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean Fecal Incontinence Score significantly improved at three months' follow-up from 14.5 prior to treatment to 11.9 post-treatment, and was maintained at six months (12). A slight decrease was observed at one year (12.9), which had no impact on the global satisfaction. During the same period, only 1/4 subsets of the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life score improved. Manometry and endoanal ultrasound did not show significant changes post procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limited number of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiofrequency is a valid treatment option for patients with mild-to-moderate fecal incontinence. This treatment has demonstrated clinically significant improvements in symptoms, as demonstrated by statistically significant reductions in the Fecal Incontinence Score as well as significant improvements in Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life scores at six months, with a slight, though not clinically significant, decrease at one year follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Methodologies, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frascio
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Methodologies, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stabilini
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Methodologies, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Casaccia
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Methodologies, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Testa
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Methodologies, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fornaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Caterina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Parodi
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, San Martino Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Ciro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marrone
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Methodologies, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Ezio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gianetta
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences and Integrated Methodologies, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mandolfino
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index