Outcomes and efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging-compatible sacral nerve stimulator for management of fecal incontinence: A multi-institutional study

BACKGROUND Fecal incontinence(FI)is an involuntary passage of fecal matter which can have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life.Many modalities of treatment exist for FI.Sacral nerve stimulation is a well-established treatment for FI.Given the increased need of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)for diagnostics,the In-terStim which was previously used in sacral nerve stimulation was limited by MRI incompatibility.Medtronic MRI-compatible InterStim was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in August 2020 and has been widely used.AIM To evaluate the efficacy,outcomes and complications of the MRI-compatible InterStim.METHODS Data of patients who underwent MRI-compatible Medtronic InterStim placement at UPMC Williamsport,University of Minnesota,Advocate Lutheran General Hospital,and University of Wisconsin-Madison was pooled and analyzed.Patient demographics,clinical features,surgical techniques,complications,and outcomes were analyzed.Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology(STROBE)cross-sectional reporting guidelines were used.RESULTS Seventy-three patients had the InterStim implanted.The mean age was 63.29±12.2 years.Fifty-seven(78.1%)patients were females and forty-two(57.5%)patients had diabetes.In addition to incontinence,overlapping symptoms included diarrhea(23.3%),fecal urgency(58.9%),and urinary incontinence(28.8%).Fifteen(20.5%)patients underwent Peripheral Nerve Evaluation before proceeding to definite implant placement.Thirty-two(43.8%)patients underwent rechargeable InterStim placement.Three(4.1%)patients needed removal of the implant.Migration of the external lead connection was observed in 7(9.6%)patients after the stage I procedure.The explanation for one patient was due to infection.Seven(9.6%)patients had other complications like nerve pain,hematoma,infection,lead fracture,and bleeding.The mean follow-up was 6.62±3.5 mo.Sixty-eight(93.2%)patients reported significant improvement of symptoms on follow-up evaluation.CONCLUSION This study shows promising results with significant symptom improvement,good efficacy and good patient outcomes with low complication rates while using MRI compatible InterStim for FI.Further long-term follow-up and future studies with a larger patient population is recommended.

Garg incontinence scores: New scoring system on the horizon to evaluate fecal incontinence. Will it make a difference?

The main aim of this opinion review is to comment on the recent article published by Garg et al in the World Journal of Gastroenterology 2023;29:4593–4603.The authors in the published article developed a new scoring system,Garg incon-tinence scores(GIS),for fecal incontinence(FI).FI is a chronic debilitating disease that has a severe negative impact on the quality of life of the patients.Rome IV criteria define FI as multiple episodes of solid or liquid stool passed into the clothes at least twice a month.The associated social stigmatization often leads to significant under-reporting of the condition,which further impairs management.An important point is that the complexity and vagueness of the disease make it difficult for the patients to properly define and report the magnitude of the problem to their physicians.Due to this,the management becomes even more difficult.This issue is resolved up to a considerable extent by a scoring ques-tionnaire.There were several scoring systems in use for the last three decades.The prominent of them were the Cleveland Clinic scoring system or the Wexner scoring system,St.Marks Hospital or Vaizey’s scores,and the FI severity index.However,there were several shortcomings in these scoring systems.In the opinion review,we tried to analyze the strength of GIS and compare it to the existing scoring systems.The main pitfalls in the existing scoring systems were that most of them gave equal weightage to different types of FI(solid,liquid,flatus,etc.),were not comprehensive,and took only the surgeon’s perception of FI into view.In GIS,almost all shortcomings of previous scoring systems had been addressed:different weights were assigned to different types of FI by a robust statistical methodology;the scoring system was made comprehensive by including all types of FI that were previously omitted(urge,stress and mucus FI)and gave priority to patients’rather than the physicians’perceptions while developing the scoring system.Due to this,GIS indeed looked like a paradigm shift in the evaluation of FI.However,it is too early to conclude this,as GIS needs to be validated for accuracy and simplicity in future studies.

Diagnostic tools for fecal incontinence: Scoring systems are the crucial first step

The main aim of this editorial is to comment on the recent article published by Garg et al in the World Journal of Gastroenterology 2023;29:4593-4603.This original research presents a new scoring system for fecal incontinence.Fecal incontinence is a chronic disease with a severe impact on the quality of life of the patients.Substantial social stigmatization often leads to significant underreporting of the condition even during visits to a specialist and could lead to further misman-agement or non-existent management of the disease.An important fact is that patients are often unable to describe their condition when not asked precisely defined questions.This problem is partially resolved by scoring questionnaires.Several scoring systems are commonly used;however,each of them has their shortcomings.For example,the absence of different kinds of leakage besides flatus and stool could further lead to underscoring the incontinence severity.Therefore,there has long been a call for a more precise scoring system.The correct identification of the presence and severity of fecal incontinence is paramount for further diagnostic approach and for choosing the appropriate therapy option.This editorial describes fecal incontinence,its effect on quality of life in general and further evaluates the diagnostic approach with a particular focus on symptom scoring systems and their implications for clinical practice.

Experience of the patient's success in facing post-stroke urinary incontinence: the patient's perspective

Objective:Post-stroke urinary incontinence(UI)is one of the sequelae of stroke.This situation affects all aspects of the patient’s life–physically,psychologically,socially,and spiritually.This study aimed to investigate the experience of patients’success in facing a post-stroke UI.Methods:A qualitative study using the Rapid Assessment Procedure(RAP)approach was used in this study.Informants were selected using purposive sampling.In-depth interviews with as many as 8 patients who had recovered from post-stroke UI and living in the greater area of Southeast Sulawesi(Indonesia)were conducted.In-depth interviews were also conducted with 8 caregivers and 2 nurses.Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach and interpretation of data was based on Humanbecoming theory and Self-care deficit theory of nursing.Results:Five successful things the patients experienced during post-stroke UI were identified.The five successes were as follows:they provided information to get to know and understand post-stroke UI,followed the procedures to overcome post-stroke UI,conducted self-control exercises and stayed motivated,performed daily activities independently according to ability,and made use of family suppor t and peers’attention.Conclusions:These findings indicated that persistence,belief,independence,and social support(family and peer)made patients to successfully face their post-stroke UI and improved their quality of life.These findings also became the basis for developing a poststroke UI management model based on Humanbecoming theory and Self-care deficit theory of nursing.

Treatment strategies in obstructed defecation and fecal incontinence

Obstructed defecation （OD） and fecal incontinence （FI） are challenging clinical problems, which are commonly encountered in the practice of colorectal surgeons and gastroenterologists. These disorders sodally and psychologically distress patients and greatly impair their quality of life. The underlying anatomical and pathophysiological changes are complex, often incompletely understood and cannot always be determined. As a consequence, many medical, surgical, and behavioral approaches have been described, with no panacea. Over the past decade, advances in an understanding of these disorders together with rational and similar methods of evaluation in anorectal physiology laboratories （ARP）, radiology studies, and new surgical techniques have led to promising results. In this brief review, we discuss treatment strategies and recent updates on clinical and therapeutic aspects of obstructed defecation and fecal incontinence.

Fecal incontinence - Challenges and solutions

Fecal incontinence is not a diagnosis but a frequent and debilitating common final pathway symptom resulting from numerous different causes. Incontinence not only impacts the patient’s self-esteem and quality of life but may result in significant secondary morbidity, disability, and cost. Treatment is difficult without any panacea and an individualized approach should be chosen that frequently combines different modalities. Several new technologies have been developed and their specific roles will have to be defined. The scope of this review is outline the evaluation and treatment of patients with fecal incontinence.

Impact of fecal incontinence on quality of life

AIM:To explore the impact of fecal incontinence (FI) on quality of life (QOL) of patients attending urogynecology and colorectal clinics (CCs).METHODS:Cross-sectional study of 154 patients (27 male) with FI,who attended the clinics at a regional hospital in North Queensland,Australia in 2003 and 2004,and completed the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQL:1=very affected;4=not affected).RESULTS:More than 22% of patients had their QOL affected severely by FI.Patients reported that they had not previously been asked about FI by a medical practitioner nor did they voluntarily disclose its presence.The median FIQL scores for all participants were:lifestyle=3.24;coping=2.23;depression=2.42;and embarrassment=2.33.Increasing frequency of soiling had a negative effect on all four FIQL scales (P < 0.001) as did the quantity of soiling (P < 0.01).Female CC patients had poorer FIQL scores than urogynecology clinic patients for lifestyle (P=0.015),coping (P=0.004) and embarrassment (P=0.009),but not depression (P=0.062),despite having experienced FI for a shorter period.CONCLUSION:Failure to seek treatment for FI degrades the quality of patients' lives over time.FI assessment tools should incorporate the quantity of fecal loss.

Rectal tone and compliance affected in patients with fecal incontinence after fistulotomy

AIM: To investigate the anal sphincter and rectal factors that may be involved in fecal incontinence that develops following fistulotomy(FIAF).METHODS: Eleven patients with FIAF were compared with 11 patients with idiopathic fecal incontinence and with 11 asymptomatic healthy subjects(HS). All of the study participants underwent anorectal manometry and a barostat study(rectal sensitivity, tone, compliance and capacity). The mean time since surgery was 28 ± 26 mo. The postoperative continence score was 14 ± 2.5(95%CI: 12.4-15.5, St Mark's fecal incontinence grading system).RESULTS: Compared with the HS, the FIAF patients showed increased rectal tone(42.63 ± 27.69 vs 103.5 ± 51.13, P = 0.002) and less rectal compliance(4.95 ± 3.43 vs 11.77 ± 6.9, P = 0.009). No significant differences were found between the FIAF patients and the HS with respect to the rectal capacity; thresholds for the non-noxious stimuli of first sensation, gas sensation and urge-to-defecate sensation or the noxious stimulus of pain; anal resting pressure or squeeze pressure; or the frequency or percentage of relaxation of the rectoanal inhibitory reflex. No significant differences were found between the FIAF patients and the patients with idiopathic fecal incontinence.CONCLUSION: In patients with FIAF, normal motor anal sphincter function and rectal sensitivity are preserved, but rectal tone and compliance are impaired. The results suggest that FIAF is not due to alterations in rectal sensitivity and that the rectum is more involved than the anal sphincters in the genesis of FIAF.

Current management of fecal incontinence:Choosing amongst treatment options to optimize outcomes

The severity of fecal incontinence widely varies and can have dramatic devastating impacts on a person’s life.Fecal incontinence is common,though it is often underreported by patients.In addition to standard treatment options,new treatments have been developed during the past decade to attempt to effectively treat fecal incontinence with minimal morbidity.Non-operative treatments include dietary modifications,medications,and biofeedback therapy.Currently used surgical treatments include repair(sphincteroplasty),stimulation(sacral nerve stimulation or posterior tibial nerve stimulation),replacement(artificial bowel sphincter or muscle transposition)and diversion(stoma formation).Newer augmentation treatments such as radiofrequency energy delivery and injectable materials,are minimally invasive tools that may be good options before proceeding to surgery in some patients with mild fecal incontinence.In general,more invasive surgical treatments are now reserved for moderate to severe fecal incontinence.Functional and quality of life related outcomes,as well as potential complications of the treatment must be considered and the treatment of fecal incontinence must be individualized to the patient.General indications,techniques,and outcomes profiles for the various treatments of fecal incontinence are discussed in detail.Choosing the most effective treatment for the individual patient is essential to achieve optimal outcomes in the treatment of fecal incontinence.

Delorme's operation plus sphincteroplasty for complete rectal prolapse associated with traumatic fecal incontinence

Rectal prolapse associated with traumatic fecal incontinence is a rare clinical combination. This study was designed to assess Delorme＇s operation with sphincteroplasty as a surgical management of this combination in terms of recurrence and improvement of fecal incontinence. In this prospective study, we enrolled patients suffering from short, full-thickness rectal prolapse associated with traumatic fecal incontinence who had been admitted to Alexandria Main University Hospital during the period of May 2010-January 2013. Preoperative data including cause of trauma, duration of symptoms, results of anal manometry, and degree of fecal incontinence using Wexner score were collected from all patients. Delorme＇s procedure with overlap sphincteroplasty was done in all patients. Recurrence of prolapse and improvement of fecal incontinence were assessed after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. The study included 13 patients aged （32±8.7） years, 9 females and 4 males. Cause of sphincteric injury included previous anal surgery in 7 patients and normal labor in 6 patients. Duration between sphinctefic injury and operation was （8.08±2.47） months. Preoperative Wexner＇s mean score was 16.07±3.4. Early postoperative complications included superficial wound infection （69.2%）, minor wound dehiscence （61.5%）, and postoperative bleeding （7.6%）. Recurrence was detected in 1 patient at 6 month follow-up. Wexner＇s score showed significant improvement for all patients after 6 months （4.00±2.04）. In conclusion, combination of Delorme＇s procedure and sphincteroplasty for treatment of patients with short complete rectal prolapse associated with traumatic fecal incontinence is a safe, effective surgical management with satisfactory results regarding anatomical and functional outcomes.

Anal plugs and retrograde colonic irrigation are helpful in fecal incontinence or constipation

AIM： To evaluate the feasibility, clinical effect and predicting factors for favorable outcome of treatment with anal plugs in fecal incontinence and retrograde colonic irrigation （RCI） in patients with fecal incontinence or constipation.METHODS： Patients who received treatment with an anal plug or RCI between 1980 and 2005 were investigated with a questionnaire.RESULTS： Of the 201 patients （93 adults, 108 children）, 101 （50%） responded. Adults： anal plugs （8）, five stopped immediately, one stopped after 20 mo and two used it for 12-15 too. RCl （40, 28 fecal incontinence, 12 constipation）, 63% are still using it （mean 8.5 years）, 88% was satisfied. Younger adults （〈 40 years） were more satisfied with RCI （94 % vs 65%, P = 0.05）. Children： anal plugs （7）, 5 used it on demand for an average of 2.5 years with satisfactory results, one stopped immediately and one after 5 years. RCI （26 fecal incontinence, 22 constipation）, 90% are still using it （mean time 6.8 years） and felt satisfied. Children tend to be more satisfied （P = 0.001）. Besides age, no predictive factors for success were found. There was no difference in the outcome between patients with fecal incontinence or constipation.CONCLUSION： RCI is more often applied than anal plugs and is helpful in patients with fecal incontinence or constipation, especially for younger patients. Anal plugs can be used incidentally for fecal incontinence, especially in children.

Bio-feedback treatment of fecal incontinence: Where are we, and where are we going?

Fecal incontinence is a disabling disease, often observed in young subjects, that may have devastating psycho-social consequences. In the last years, numerous evidences have been reported on the efficacy of bio-feedback techniques for the treatment of this disorder. Overall, the literature data claim a success rate in more than 70% of cases in the short term. However, recent controlled trials have not confirmed this optimistic view, thus emphasizing the role of standard care. Nonetheless, many authors believe that this should be the first therapeutic approach for fecal incontinence due to the efficacy, lack of side-effects,and scarce invasiveness. Well-designed randomized,controlled trial are eagerly awaited to solve this therapeutic dilemma.

Sphincteroplasty for fecal incontinence in the era of sacral nerve modulation

The role of sphincteroplasty in the treatment of patients with fecal incontinence due to anal sphincter defects has been questioned because the success rate declines in the long-term.A new emerging treatment for fecal incontinence,sacral nerve stimulation,has been shown to be effective in these patients.However,the success rate of sphincteroplasty may depend of several patient-related and surgical-related factors and the outcome from sphincteroplasty has been evaluated differently(with qualitative data) from that after sacral nerve stimulation(quantitative data using scoring systems and quality of life).Furthermore,the data available so far on the longterm success rate after sacral nerve modulation do not differ substantially from those after sphincteroplasty.The actual data do not support the replacement of sphincteroplasty with sacral nerve stimulation in patients with fecal incontinence secondary to sphincter defects.

Fecal incontinence in men:Causes and clinical and manometric features

AIM:To determine the causes and characteristics of fecal incontinence in men and to compare these features with those presented by a group of women with the same problem.METHODS:We analyzed the medical history,clinical and manometric data from 119 men with fecal incontinence studied in our unit and compared these data with those obtained from 645 women studied for the same problem.Response to treatment was evaluated after 6 mo of follow-up.RESULTS:Fifteen percent of patients studied in our unit for fecal incontinence were male.Men took longer than women before asking for medical help.Anorectal surgery was the most common risk factor for men related to fecal incontinence.Chronic diarrhea was present in more than 40%of patients in both groups.Decreased resting and external anal sphincter pressures were more frequent in women.No significant differences existed between the sexes regarding rectal sensitivity and recto-anal inhibitory reflex.In 17.8%of men,all presenting soiling,manometric findings did not justify fecal incontinence.Response to treatment was good in both groups,as 80.4%of patients improved and fecal incontinence disappeared in 13.2%of them.CONCLUSION:In our series,it was common that men waited longer in seeking medical help for fecal incontinence.Ano-rectal surgery was the major cause of this problem.Chronic diarrhea was a predisposing factor in both sexes.Manometric differences between groups were limited to an increased frequency of hypotony of the external anal sphincter in women.Fecal incontinence was controllable in most patients.

Assessments of Pudendal Motor and Sensory Nerves in Patients with or without Fecal Incontinence after Low Anterior Resection for Lower Rectal Cancer

Background:?To clarify the pudendal motor (PMN) and sensory (PSN) nerves?play in preventing fecal incontinence (FI) after low anterior resection (LAR) for lower rectal cancer, the PMN and PSN functions were studied. Methods:?Sixty patients were divided into groups A (n = 20, FI) and B (n = 40, continence). These were compared with group C (n = 30, control subjects). PMN latency (PMNL) (right, left, and posterior sides of the anal canal) was studied by sacral magnetic stimulation. Anal mucosal electric sensitivity (AMES) was measured at the lower, dentate line (DL), and upper zones. Results:?The distance of anastomosis from anal verge (DAAV) in group A was significantly shorter than in group B (p?value p?value p?value p?value Conclusion:?FI after LAR with a short DAAV?may?lead to?external anal sphincter dysfunction due to damage of both PMN and PSN.

Endoanal ultrasonography in fecal incontinence: Current and future perspectives

Fecal incontinence has a profound impact in a patient's life, impairing quality of life and carrying a substantial economic burden due to health costs. It is an underdiagnosed condition because many affected patients are reluctant to report it and also clinicians are usually not alert to it. Patient evaluation with a detailed clinical history and examination is very important to indicate the type of injury that is present. Endoanal ultrasonography is currently the gold standard for sphincter evaluation in fecal incontinence and is a simple, well-tolerated and non-expensive technique. Most studies revealed 100%sensitivity in identifying sphincter defect. It is better than endoanal magnetic resonance imaging for internal anal sphincter defects, equivalent for the diagnosis of external anal sphincter defects, but with a lower capacity for assessment of atrophy of this sphincter.The most common cause of fecal incontinence is anal sphincter injury related to obstetric trauma. Only a small percentage of women are diagnosed with sphincter tears immediately after vaginal delivery, but endoanal ultrasonography shows that one third of these women have occult sphincter defects. Furthermore, in patients submitted to primary repair of these tears, ultrasound revealed a high frequency of persistent sphincter defects after surgery. Three-dimensional endoanal ultrasonography is currently largely used and accepted for sphincter evaluation in fecal incontinence, improving diagnostic accuracy and our knowledge of physiologic and pathological sphincters alterations. Conversely,there is currently no evidence to support the use of elastography in fecal incontinence evaluation.

Neuromodulation for fecal incontinence: An effective surgical intervention

Fecal incontinence is a disabling symptom with medical and social implications,including fear,embarrassment,isolation and even depression.Most patients live in seclusion and have to plan their life around the symptom,with secondary impairment of their quality of life.Conservative management and biofeedback therapy are reported to benefit a good percentage of those affected.However,surgery must be considered in the nonresponder population.Recently,sacral nerve electrostimulation,lately named neuromodulation,has been reported to benefit patients with fecal incontinence in randomized controlled trials more than placebo stimulation and conservative management,by some unknown mechanism.Neuromodulation is a minimally invasive procedure with a low rate of adverse events and apparently favorable cost-efficacy profile.This review is intended to expand knowledge about this effective intervention among the non-surgically skilled community who deals with this disabled group of patients.

Neurostimulation for fecal incontinence after correction of repair of imperforate anus

We are reporting the case of a 32-year-old female who had suffered from fecal incontinence(FI). She was born with an imperforate anus and a recto-vaginal fistula; she underwent repair at 6 mo of age. At 29 years of age, she was still fecally incontinent despite extensive pelvic floor reeducation. A magnetic resonance imaging and an anal electromyography were performed. Because her symptoms were considered to be probably due to extra-sphincteric implantation of the neo-anus, a redo was performed of the recto-neo-anal intra-sphincteric anastomosis. A neurostimulator device was subsequently implanted for persistent incontinence. Solid and liquid FI resolved, and her quality of life improved markedly. Combining surgery to correct the position of the neo-anus within the anal sphincter complex and neurostimulation could thus become a new approach in cases of refractory FI for patients with imperforate anus as a newborn. Follow-up into adulthood after pediatric imperforate anus surgery should be recommended for adult patients with persistent FI.

Percutaneous cecostomy in the management of organic fecal incontinence in children

AIM:To assess the effectiveness and safety of imagingguided percutaneous cecostomy in the management of pediatric patients with organic fecal incontinence.METHODS:Twenty three cecostomies were performed on 21 children with organic fecal incontinence(13 males,8 females),aged from 5 to 16 years(mean 9.5 years).Thirteen patients had neurogenic fecal incontinence and 8 patients had anorectal anomalies.Procedures were performed under general anesthesia and fluoroscopic guidance.Effectiveness and complication data were obtained for at least 1 year after the procedure.RESULTS:Cecostomy was successful in 20 patients(primary technical success rate 95).Cecostomy failed in one patient due to tube breakage(secondary technical success rate 100).The tubes were in situ for an average of 18 mo(range 12-23 mo).Eighteen patients(87) expressed satisfaction with the procedures.Resolution of soiling was achieved in all patients with neurogenic fecal incontinence(100) and in 5 of 8 patients with anorectal anomalies(62.5).Eleven patients(52) experienced minor problems.No major complications were noted.CONCLUSION:Percutaneous cecostomy improves the quality of life in children with organic fecal incontinence.A satisfactory outcome is more prevalent in patients with neurogenic fecal incontinence than anorectal anomalies.

Health Workers’ Assessment of the Frequency of and Caring for Urinary and Fecal Incontinence among Female Victims of Sexual Violence in the Eastern Congo: An Exploratory Study

Background: Throughout the long war that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has endured, women and children have been depicted as the primary victims of widespread sexual violence. In some settings women have been raped in entire villages, with devastating physical and psychological consequences, which include sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, trauma and fistulas, as well as social isolation and involuntary pregnancies. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalent perceptions of health professionals on the magnitude of urine and/or fecal incontinence among assaulted women, caused by sexual violence, as well as the opinions regarding the type of care provided to affected women. Methods: The study was part of a larger pilot study that had a cross-sectional design and a descriptive approach, which explored health professionals’ views regarding their own levels of competence at responding to the health needs of victims of sexual violence, in the form of a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: 104 health workers responded to the questionnaire. Nurses reported seeing raped women more frequently on a day-to-day basis (69.2%), in comparison to medical doctors and social workers (11.5%). Urinary incontinence was common according to 79% of health workers, who estimated that up to 15% of the women affected experienced huge amounts of urine leakage. Only 30% of the care seekers underwent in depth investigations, but the majority of the victims were not offered any further examination or appropriate treatments. Conclusion: Urinary and fecal incontinence due to urogenital or colorectal fistulas among women exposed to sexual violence is a common in the specified setting, but lack of systematic investigation and appropriate treatment means that the quality of life of the victims may be negatively affected. An improvement in the ability of health workers to manage these complex diagnoses is urgently needed, as well as adequately equipping health services in the affected settings.