Rechargeable SNS and faecal incontinence
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluation of rechargeable Sacral Nerve Stimulation implant in patients with faecal incontinence
IRAS ID
327159
Contact name
Sunder Chita
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
Faecal incontinence (FI) is the loss of control over defecation and adversely affects quality of life in terms of physical and emotional health; potentially leading to stigmatization and social isolation and, in older people, admission to residential care.
Initial treatments of FI include medical and behavioural therapies and biofeedback. Whilst these treatments appear to improve continence in a number of patients, Sacral Nerve Stimulation (SNS) can be offered in adults refractory to conservative management and can result in significant improvement in continence and quality of life. Non-rechargeable implants were the first used in patients and appear to improve continence, however, these require regular surgery to replace the batteries after 2 to 7 years. More recently, rechargeable neurostimulators have been introduced with a validated battery life of 15 years.
St Mark’s Hospital has a longstanding and wide experience in managing patients with faecal incontinence and in SNS implants. A proportion of patients have received a rechargeable neurostimulator.
This single centre study will look at the continence and satisfaction of patients who have been fitted with the rechargeable implants comparing to the available data on patients who received the non-rechargeable implants. The outcome of this study will improve the counselling of patients offered a SNS implant.REC name
West of Scotland REC 5
REC reference
23/WS/0063
Date of REC Opinion
19 May 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion