Sacral Nerve Stimulation Therapy for the Treatment of Chronic Fecal Incontinence

Fecal incontinence (FI) is a difficulty in storing gas, liquid stool or solid stool (bowel movement) in order to expel it at a proper time and place. Patients who suffer from FI may experience passive FI (difficulty in sensing stool in the rectum) or urgency (able to sense a bowel movement but cannot hold the stool until an acceptable time and place). FI is not a life-threatening disease, but it is often profoundly distressing and socially incapacitating. If a patient is suffering with symptoms of chronic FI despite trying oral medications, biofeedback and/or other more conservative treatments, a patient may be eligible to participate in a clinical research study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of sacral nerve stimulation for the treatment of chronic fecal incontinence. One hundred-twenty (120) patients will be implanted with medical devices and followed closely for twelve months, and then once a year after that until the study closes. There are up to 20 centers in the United States.