First experiences with pudendal nerve stimulation in fecal incontinence. A technical report

Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is an established treatment for refractory lower urinary tract and bowel dysfunction. In some urological patients SNS does not have satisfactory results. Pudendal nerve stimulation (PNS) has recently been proposed for these patients and successfully tested. Given the sometimes unsatisfactory results after SNS in fecal incontinence (FI), PNS was tested on patients suffering from FI. The device and implantation technique described by Spinelli et al. was used. By making a slight change in the device a quick and easy-to-use method for successful PNS implantation, was developed based on electrophysiological response. The results of a feasibility study are presented in which the effectiveness of PNS with the modified implantation technique was tested on 2 patients with very satisfactory initial results in a 4-month follow-up.