A study published in Annals of Surgery has shown that Medtronic’s InterStim Therapy can be used to treat fecal incontinence. The implantable system delivers electrical stimulation to the nerves which control the bladder, sphincter, and pelvic floor muscles. The therapy is currently FDA approved to treat urinary incontinence, as we have reported in 2006, and its use for bowel control is currently under review.
From the press release:
At 12 months of follow-up, 83 percent of patients experienced therapeutic success, defined as a greater than 50 percent reduction in the number of fecal incontinent episodes per week. Furthermore, perfect continence (100 percent improvement) was achieved in approximately 40 percent of the patients.
Additionally, patients receiving InterStim Therapy experienced an increase in overall quality of life at 12 months post-implant, as defined by the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life (FIQOL) scale.
Study abstract: Sacral Nerve Stimulation for Fecal Incontinence: Results of a 120-Patient Prospective Multicenter Study
Press release: Newly Published Data Show Medtronic InterStim® Therapy Decreases Episodes of Chronic Fecal Incontinence and Positively Impacts Quality of Life
Flashback: InterStim® II System for Sacral Nerve Stimulation