Sacral nerve stimulation in the treatment of fecal incontinence - the experience of a pelvic floor center : short term results.

Objectives: The aim of this paper is to present the data pertinent to the experiences of our Pelvic Floor Center on the utilisation of SNS in the treatment of fecal incontinence and compare these data to the data of current literature.

Methods: All patients who had had SNS treatment for fecal incontinence between the dates of 1st April 2008 and 1st April 2011 were enrolled in the study. We considered a 50% reduction of fecal incontinence episodes as a success of the test phase.

Stapled trans-anal rectal resection (STARR) in the surgical treatment of the obstructed defecation syndrome: results of STARR Italian Registry.

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of stapled trans-anal rectal resection (STARR) in the treatment of obstructed defecation syndrome ODS by the analysis of the data collected in the STARR Italian Registry (SIR) with a special emphasis on the analysis of symptoms and quality of life.

Methods: Collected data included, preoperative tests findings, and the evaluation of symptoms; the latter was obtained by using dedicated tools such as the Obstructed Defecation Syndrome Score (ODS-S), the Severity Symptom Score (SSS), and the Continence Grading Scale (CGS). Data on the quality of life were collected by Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QoL) and the Euro Quality of Life-5 Domains Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-5D VAS).

Long-term outcome of sacral nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence.

Purpose: Sacral nerve stimulation is a safe and effective procedure for fecal incontinence. We investigated whether its efficacy is maintained long term.

Patients And Methods: Sixty patients with fecal incontinence underwent permanent sacral nerve stimulation.

Outcomes of stapled transanal rectal resection vs. biofeedback for the treatment of outlet obstruction associated with rectal intussusception and rectocele: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial.

Purpose: This study was designed to assess the safety and outcomes achieved with stapled transanal rectal resection vs. biofeedback training in obstructed defecation patients.

Methods: A total of 119 women patients who suffered from obstructed defecation with associated rectocele and rectal intussusception were randomized to stapled transanal rectal resection or biofeedback training.

[Italian translation and prospective validation of fecal incontinence quality of life (FIQL) index].

The evaluation of any functional disease affecting quality of life requires a purpose-designed quality-of-life index for clinical trials as well as for evaluating the outcomes of treatments. The fecal incontinence quality of life index (FIQL) was developed at Minnesota University (USA) for patients with faecal incontinence but could not be used for Italian patients without appropriate cultural and linguistic adaptation. Therefore this index was translated into italian and prospectively validated on a new series of 73 incontinent patients and 8 healthy controls in order to provide Italian coloproctologists with a useful tool for clinical research.