Добавил:
kiopkiopkiop18@yandex.ru t.me/Prokururor I Вовсе не секретарь, но почту проверяю Опубликованный материал нарушает ваши авторские права? Сообщите нам.
Вуз: Предмет: Файл:

Ординатура / Хирургия / Библиотека им академика М.И. Перельмана / Книга_1073_Библиотеки_им_академика_М_И_Перельмана

.pdf
Скачиваний:
0
Добавлен:
31.08.2026
Размер:
22 Мб
Скачать
Sacral Nerve Stimulation: Choices vs
https://t.me/medicina_free
Non-surgical Care forFecal Incontinence
WilliamAllen, AlexandraJones, HillarySimon, andRussFarmer
Executive Summary
Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) has revolutionized the surgical treatment of fecal incontinence (FI). Patients that previously were treated only with medication to minimal benet or colostomy can now get signicant symptom relief from fecal (and urinary) incontinence with this procedure. The surgery is technically relatively simple and has a low complication rate. However, once implanted, the need for reoperation is high as is the cost of both entry to therapy and ongoing therapy. Patients need to be counselled extensively and their long-term expectations man­aged prior to SNS implantation. While SNS is not the metaphorical “silver bullet” for the FI, it can go a long way to improving the quality of life for a huge number of well-selected patients.
43
PICO table
Patients Patients with fecal
incontinence
W. Allen · A. Jones Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA e-mail: william.allen.4@louisville.edu; alexandra.jones.1@louisville.edu
H. Simon · R. Farmer (*) Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA e-mail: hillary.simon@louisville.edu; russell.farmer@louisville.edu
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2023 K. Umanskiy, N. Hyman (eds.), Difcult Decisions in Colorectal Surgery, Difcult Decisions in Surgery: An Evidence-Based Approach,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-42303-1_43
Intervention Comparator Sacral nerve
stimulation
Medical management
Outcome Symptom improvement,
quality of life
491
492
https://t.me/medicina_free
W. Allen et al.
Epidemiology/Incidence ofFecal Incontinence
Fecal incontinence is increasingly more prevalent with potentially debilitating social, economic, and health consequences. FI has been estimated to occur in up to 50% of elderly people living within care homes and up to 18% in the general popu­lation from a UK population-based survey via the 2010 National Audit of Continence Care [1]. In the United States a large population-based survey revealed that 1in 7 people experienced fecal incontinence in their lifetime with an increased prevalence among those with inammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, or irritable bowel syndrome [2]. One of the most common risk factors for fecal incontinence is increasing age. As the average life expectancy continues to increase, the incidence of FI will continue to increase concomitantly. One study revealed FI to be the sec­ond most common cause of an individual being placed in a nursing facility [3]. This is partly due to the increased time in care the individual requires as well as the emotional distress experienced by the caregiver. FI has been shown to have a strong association with both the incidence and severity of sacral decubitus ulcers [4]. FI is associated with an overall decrease in health and increase in frailty with the inability to adequately, and independently, complete activities of daily living. Given its cor­relation with deconditioning, FI has been used as a measure of functional impair­ment with evidence of an increased likelihood of death (hazard ratio 1.28) [5].
Diagnostic Criteria
The diagnosis of FI is made based upon a thorough history of the patient’s symp­tomatology. The Rome IV criteria, often modied for use in research, requires the patient to have had recurrent, uncontrolled passage of feces for at least 3months and the patient must have a developmental age of at least 4years [6]. A second com­monly used diagnostic criteria is the Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence score (Wexner Score) which is a scoring system with a total value between 1 and 20, 0 is complete continence and 20 is complete incontinence. The Wexner Score is calcu­lated using the patient’s responses in regards to incontinence of gas, liquid, or solid stool, and the necessity for lifestyle modications [7].
Causes ofFI
FI can result from a variety of etiologies including loose stool caused by infection, diet, intestinal pathology, or functional abnormalities caused by sphincter injury, radiation, central or peripheral neuropathy, and myopathy. Women have a higher incidence of primary pelvic oor dysfunction compared to men, often related to pregnancy. It has been shown that pelvic oor dysfunction was signicantly increased in women who underwent caesarean section, spontaneous vaginal deliv­ery, or instrumental delivery when compared with nulliparous women [8]. Obstetric trauma remains one of the most common causes of FI due to the risk of mechanical
43 Sacral Nerve Stimulation: Choices vs Non-surgical Care forFecal Incontinence
https://t.me/medicina_free
tears of the sphincter occurring in 0.6–9% of vaginal deliveries. The innervations of the pelvic oor and the pudendal nerve are at risk of being damaged during pro­longed or instrumented delivery.
It is projected that the number of women in the United States affected by pelvic oor disorders will continue to increase and a similar increase will be seen in those with FI from 10.6 million to an estimated 16.8 million by 2050 [9]. Although pelvic oor dysfunction is more common in women, the rates of fecal incontinence in the general population remains similar in women (8.9%) and men (7.7%) [10]. FI is a potential complication of numerous common conditions ranging from hemorrhoidal disease, rectal prolapse, and iatrogenic injuries from surgical procedures. Other causes include any condition the predisposes the patient to rectal hyposensitivity due to nerve damage, including diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and a subset of patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
493
Non-surgical Management ofFecal Incontinence
Traditionally, medical therapy and biofeedback are used in the management of FI prior to surgery. The purpose of medical therapy focuses on increasing the solidity of the stool and decreasing the frequency of bowel movements. Methylcellulose or psyllium are common sources of ber which absorb liquid within the intestines and increase the bulk of the stool, decreasing leakage of liquid feces and providing sen­sory feedback regarding the need to defecate. Antimotility agents such as Loperamide act directly on the mu receptors of the longitudinal and circular muscles of the intestines to inhibit contraction as well as peristalsis. The decrease in peristalsis acts to increase the uptake of the liquid within the stool, increasing its bulk. Anti­cholinergic agents, such as hyoscyamine, are muscarinic antagonists to the smooth muscle within the gastrointestinal tract and decrease the rate of peristalsis allowing for similar effects seen with other antimotility agents. If the patient does not respond to loperamide or antimuscarinics then liquid narcotics such as codeine are then used to assist in decreasing the transit time of stool, although their systemic effects require thorough consideration before prescribing.
Nonmedication-based treatment for FI may include pelvic oor physiotherapy and biofeedback. Currently, the most common form of pelvic oor rehabilitation includes electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback-guided pelvic oor muscle train­ing (PFMT). PFMT encompasses numerous methods by which an individual increases the coordination of the pelvic oor and anal sphincters. Patients undergo training of the core muscles, particularly the transversus abdominis, as well as the pelvic oor by performing Kegel contractions [11]. Biofeedback may be conducted using a balloon placed within the rectum at the time of the PFMT to assist in instructing the patient as well as coordinating the exercises with the sensation of stool within the rectum. The presence of the balloon serves as the sensation of the rectum gradually lling in order to mimic increasing stool within the rectal vault [11]. The most common type of biofeedback uses EMG.An anal plug with surface electrodes is placed within the rectum and the muscle contractions are recorded so
494
https://t.me/medicina_free
that the patient is able to visualize the effects of performing Kegel exercises (squeez­ing of the pelvic oor muscles) [12]. EMG guided biofeedback therapy has been reported to have a signicant effect on FI with up to 92% of patients in one study experiencing improvement in symptoms [13].
W. Allen et al.
Sacral Nerve Stimulation
Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is a safe and efcacious way to treat fecal inconti­nence (FI) in patient’s refractory to behavioral and pharmacological therapies [14]. Originally described in 1982 for its role in urinary incontinence, SNS was devel­oped by Tanegho and Schmidt [15] with ofcial FDA approval in 1997 [16]. It was then introduced by Matzel etal. in the Lancet in 1995 for its use in FI [17]. However, it did not gain FDA approval for this use until 2011 [18].
The underlying mechanism of action for sacral neuromodulation, or SNS, remains unknown. Recent publications theorize results are more related to central nervous system stimulation via afferent nervous system pathways versus previously held beliefs that it worked via peripheral motor neurostimulation [19]. A widely accepted theory is that SNS delivers low dose, frequent electrical pulses to the pudendal nerve to increase both afferent and efferent effects of that central nervous distribution resulting in reex augmentation [20].
Prior to development of SNS for use in FI, sphincteroplasty had been the main­stay of surgical treatment for fecal incontinence. A recent comparative study per­formed in 2017 by Rodriques etall demonstrated improvement in the Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence Score (CCF-FIS) (15.9–8.4; P=0.003) compared to sphincteroplasty (16.9–12.9; P=0.078) [21]. In 2010 another comparative study performed by Ratto etal. [22], showed similar outcomes in incontinence scores and QOL.Long term effects of SNS placement are still being studied. There has been some speculation that SNS will contribute to long-term neuroplasticity via its cen­tral nervous afferent conduction. This is bolstered by the continued improvement in the function of patients following removal of the SNS device after prolonged implantation [1].
Placement of an SNS device is performed in a two-stage process. Patients should initially be marked with plans for placement at the junction of the back and buttocks with some deference of side based on patient preference, sleep and other hygiene habits. The rst stage includes placement of temporary percutaneous leads posi­tioned near the S3 nerve root via the S3 foramen for 1–4weeks. If the patient notes improvement in incontinence symptoms, a more permanent neurostimulator device is placed. A successful trial would be a reduction of incontinence symptoms by >50%. During Stage 1, the patient is placed in prone position with exposure of but­tocks and the gluteal crease. Using uoroscopic guidance, a needle is inserted into the S3 foramen and placement is then veried using external stimulator. Correct positioning elicits motor responses from the pelvic oor and ipsilateral great toe plantar exion. Once positioning is veried a wire is passed through the needle and the Seldinger technique is used to implant the temporary leads. A pocket is made,
43 Sacral Nerve Stimulation: Choices vs Non-surgical Care forFecal Incontinence
https://t.me/medicina_free
and the leads are tunneled to the pocket which will serve as site for permeant stimu­lator during the next stage of implantation. The temporary external stimulator is attached and enclosed within the pocket. If the temporary leads are successful, Stage 2 is performed with placement of a permanent neurostimulator device. The previous incision is opened, and electrodes exposed. The permeant stimulator, which constitutes a combination battery pack and computer to drive delivery of electricity, is connected and replaced back in the pocket.
Contraindications to placement however still exist. Drawbacks to using older SNS devices include frequency of replacing the battery, inability to recharge, size and MRI incompatibility. In certain neurogenic groups such as chronic back pain, MS or even patients with a history of low anterior resections, the placement of an SNS has been a relative contraindication given the high likelihood of requiring an MRI during their lifetime. The newest generation of products from Medtronic and Axonics have addressed this issue with the development of MRI compatible stimu­lators. Devices have moved from a large battery to a smaller, rechargeable battery. Newer products such as the Interstim Micro device (2.8cm^3) is 80% smaller than its recharge free Interstim II neurostimulator (14cm^3) [23]. In a multicenter pro­spective trial of 262 patients, the smaller size has also been shown to reduce amount of subjective pain patients experience from implantation of the stimulator from 7% with the Interstim II versus 2% in the Interstim Micro [24].
495
Work Up
Initial work-up should include a Stool Diary. A Stool (Bowel) Diary may be kept for a single week up to several weeks, and is often recorded on paper; However, Smartphone applications have recently been developed and allow improved record­ing of incontinence [25]. Non-operative management has been found to benet approximately only 25% of patients presenting with FI, highlighting the importance of understanding operative strategies to treat FI [26]. Once baseline bowel function has been established via a Stool Diary, surgical intervention options for FI escalate in invasiveness and should be approached as such. The two main surgical options for FI include SNS and anal sphincter repair.
Clinical Practice Guideline Summary
The Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS) have composed societal Clinical Practice Guidelines for the treatment of FI. The guidelines are created based on the best available evi­dence [27].
The ASCRS strongly recommends performing thorough history, physical exam, laboratory, and supplementary testing to rule out underlying infectious or patho­logic etiologies. Anorectal physiology testing (manometry, anorectal sensation, vol­ume tolerance, compliance), endorectal ultrasound, and pudendal nerve terminal
496
https://t.me/medicina_free
motor latency can be considered to help dene the elements of dysfunction and guide management. Validated measures that assess the nature, severity, and impact of incontinence on quality of life should be part of the assessment for FI.The use of a scoring index, such as the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index, St. Marks Incontinence Score, Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence Score (CCF), or other validated tool, is helpful in selecting patients for therapies and for measuring response to treatment over time. Dietary and medical management are recom­mended as rst-line therapy. Biofeedback/pelvic oor physical therapy should be considered as an adjunct to medical management of FI.Patients with more severe symptoms, or for symptoms severely affecting quality of life, may be more appro­priate for invasive therapies up to and including colostomy.
Injection of bulking agents, sphincter plication, and radiofrequency application (Secca procedure) are less studied and poorly validated, making them a weak rec­ommendation. Sphincter repair is highly recommended for patients with dened external sphincter defects and can be repeated with success if necessary. Implantation of an articial bowel sphincter remains an option for severe FI, but with low quality evidence supporting its use. Colostomy creation is a highly recommended and sup­ported surgical option for patients who have failed or do not wish to pursue other therapies for FI.New and emerging technologies, such as percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation and magnetic anal sphincter exist, however data remains insufcient to make recommendations currently. Overall, sacral neuromodulation (SNS) should be considered as a rst-line surgical option for incontinent patients with and without sphincter defects. Ultimately, due to etiology variability, treatment can be challeng­ing and should be individualized.
W. Allen et al.
SNS Candidate Selection
Prior works have compared non-operative and operative management. In a single­center, randomized control trial comparing groups with similar baseline character­istics, SNS implantation versus optimal medical management (pelvic oor physical therapy, bulking agent, and dietary modication), SNS was found to signicantly improve incontinent episodes by more than 50% in 90% of patients (50/52 patients) [28]. The combined data of two trials showed that the number of people failing to achieve full continence was signicantly lower when electrical stimulation was added to biofeedback compared against biofeedback alone (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.78) [29, 30]. Other prospective studies, while small, have reproduced similar ndings, noting SNS improves FI better than conservative management31.While a number of interventions are available for treatment of FI that vary in efcacy and morbidity, SNS comes with validated efcacy and low morbidity. Morbidity sur­rounding SNS implantation includes pain or infection at the implant site pain, par­esthesia, and electrode displacements or breaks requiring revision and battery exchanges [32]
There are few contraindications and relative contraindications to SNS implanta­tion. Bleeding diathesis, pregnancy, or other body habitus or underlying
43 Sacral Nerve Stimulation: Choices vs Non-surgical Care forFecal Incontinence
https://t.me/medicina_free
co- morbidities which would not allow prone positioning, as well as limited cogni­tive function which would interfere with the operation of the SNS device, are con­traindications to placement. In the past, many felt the presence of a cardiac pacemaker was a contraindication, but there are case series that demonstrate safety with intraoperative monitoring during placement. Relative contraindications to be considered include psychological instability, unacceptable risk for the consequences of infection, like patient with articial heart valves, or patients with severe or rap­idly progressive neurologic disease. Frail patients, specically those who are wheel­chair bound or with limited life-expectancy, would be more likely to fail SNS trial. However, data demonstrates that patients with disorders such as multiple sclerosis, especially in the earlier stages, have excellent functional outcomes with SNS [33]
497
Difficult Decisions Surrounding SNS Implantation vs Conservative/Medical Management
Each of the following clinical scenarios are commentaries on specic situations sur­rounding SNS implantation. Medical therapy is always an option to treat underlying fecal incontinence, with the knowledge that this approach is likely to be less durable and effective long term.
Length ofPercutaneous/Test Stimulation
Patients’ complaints of incontinence can vary signicantly based on their percep­tions of their symptoms and the outcomes of these symptoms. Whereas one patient may outline daily episodes of whole bowel incontinence with complete loss of con­trol multiple times a day, other patients may outline fecal incontinence a few times a week or only once a month. It is important in evaluating these patients to be explicit in their complaints. The inclusion of these criteria has likely propagated the adoption of the CCFFIS [7] as the standard for measuring fecal incontinence.
Symptom description and stratication via the CCFFIS or others (of which there are many [34]) allow for appropriate determination if SNS implementation is the appropriate approach. Many patients without fecal incontinence occurring several times a week may indeed see a demonstrable benet with SNS implantation; how­ever, documenting the ability of SNS to improve symptoms over a longer period may be difcult and create nancial problems for patients in whom insurance will not cover a demonstrated improvement in symptoms. Traditionally, most patients undertake a one-to-two-week trial of implantation for symptoms of FI.This time course is also prevalent throughout urologic literature [35]. However, other studies have shown that a prolonged period of percutaneous testing with electrodes does not lead to infection– ultimately, the risk of infection must be weighed against the ben­ets of a prolonged testing period [36, 37]. Various studies have quoted differing rates of infection for SNS implantation, of around 10 to 12% [38] or 13.5% [39].
498
https://t.me/medicina_free
(Note: While this is consistent with published data of all kinds, this is not consistent with the authors’ anecdotal experience).
Common skin ora produces infections most commonly, with S. aureus being particularly prevalent [38]. One study compared the rates of colonization of removed percutaneous lead extensions after twenty-one days of trial, resulting in a 54% rate of S. aureus colonization deep within the wires of extension [40]. Of particular con­cern is the tendency for these device infections to present late in the cycle of implan­tation. In a large study, around 1/3 of all infections seen began presentation at least 1year following implantation [41]. An excellent review by Lee etal. provides an overall excellent outline for perioperative steps to minimize infection and prevent eventual explantation [35]. The methods so outlined include a signicant periopera­tive oral antibiotic regimen in addition to perioperative IV antibiotics to be used at the surgeon’s discretion.
W. Allen et al.
Pertinent Clinical Questions Prior toChoosing SNS
• What is my goal length of percutaneous testing for this patient?
• Will this length of testing put my patient at high risk for infection?
• Do I need to tailor the choice of perioperative antibiotics to include oral medica-
tions to minimize risk?
• Though the risk of infection in sacral nerve stimulation is low, can my patient
successfully navigate treatment for and healing of an open posterior surgical
wound (i.e., immobility, DM, etc.?
• The risk of presacral abscess is very low [42], but would may patient toler-
ate this?
LARS: Low Anterior Resection Syndrome
SNS can be used as an adjunct to other treatments for those whose fecal inconti­nence proves refractory to medical management. The fall back for most surgeons treating patients with LARS has been constipating or bulking agents in the past, combined with enemas, pelvic oor physical therapy, and a host of other treatments which may or may not be effective [43]. More has been written in aggregate about SNS as a treatment for LARS than actual published data, with several meta-analyses attempting to collate the same few patients [4447]. Rather than utilizing LARS scoring systems and assigning treatment modalities based on them, many CRS and other implanting surgeons have been using SNS as a last-ditch effort to avoid a stoma– this is especially true in many patients who often present frustrated with their quality of life.
In essence, SNS is often the last resort for these patients before an ostomy is made permanently. The summary of these series and others [48, 49] shows
43 Sacral Nerve Stimulation: Choices vs Non-surgical Care forFecal Incontinence
https://t.me/medicina_free
signicant Quality of Life improvement with SNS implantation following failure of other modalities or in combination with them. Of note when treating a patient with LARS and using SNS, one needs to consider the nature of chemotherapeutics used or planned, as most LARS patients have undergone surgery for cancer. If patients are treated with chemotherapeutics that have known neurotoxic or altering effects (i.e., platinum based chemotherapeutic agents), it is possible that SNS may be less effective in this group. It is also important to discuss nancial implications with these patients, as many are often at the end of their nancial ability to undergo potentially costly surgical treatment that may be fought by their insurance as “out­side” the bounds of standard medical care.
499
Pertinent Clinical Questions Prior toChoosing SNS
• What symptom are you trying to improve with SNS? Be wary of patients with
signicant non- FI related LARS symptoms like tenesmus, pain, etc.
• Do the patients resources, both social and nancial, support SNS implantation in
an “edge” case?
• Are you and the patient prepared for the chance this may not work?
Mixed Constipation/Fecal Incontinence
The jury is still out on whether SNS, PTNS, and other neurogenic treatment modali­ties can result in signicant symptom improvement for patients with constipation. Some studies quote improvement of constipation symptoms [5052], while others outline failure of this treatment [14, 53]. Clearly there is more here than simple neural stimulation as the mixed results seen in adults do not mirror the excellent results seen in pediatric patients with similar complaints [54]. With the seemingly contradictory results, which patients should be getting an SNS with constipation?
There is no clear answer, however, we can impute a few workable premises. Firstly, patients who have mixed FI and Pelvic Outlet Dysfunction related constipa­tion following work up with manometry +/ defecography (classic or MRI) would likely benet from SNS implantation. The classic presentation for this patient is one who has pelvic outlet dysfunction resulting in constipation which precipitates the consumption of laxatives or cathartics. Most patients will present having tried mul­tiple versions of these medications in combination resulting in severe overow incontinence of feces without sensation.
SNS implantation is less likely to be effective in patients with slow transit con­stipation. Some studies have shown promise [55, 56], but often results are mixed. These patients are often better treated with more traditional modalities such as selective colectomy or an ostomy following extensive work up. Patients with idio­pathic constipation may derive some benet, but it is unknown until test stimulation.
500
https://t.me/medicina_free
W. Allen et al.
Pertinent Clinical Questions Prior toChoosing SNS
• What is the underlying cause of the patients’ symptoms? Are they more appro-
priately treated with another form of surgery or medical management?
• Given that the rate of success is moderate for patients with constipation related
symptoms, can the patient afford for this not to work? (Two procedures, poten-
tially signicant charges)
Radiation Proctitis/Pelvic Radiation
SNS can be considered an adjunct to treatment for radiation proctitis that occurs frequently following radiotherapy for any number of malignancies. Following radi­ation, the rectum loses capacitance and plasticity, going from an organ- similar in function and efcacy to the stomach- to a non-dynamic tube for the conveyance of waste. The end result often creates a situation where the rectum show moderate to minimal functionality and continence becomes compromised [57]. The implanta­tion of an SNS type device can potentially assist in the incontinence related to radia­tion proctitis, but available literature is very limited [5860] and patients should be counselled that results are not guaranteed / can’t be foreseen. Practitioners should also be advised that this will likely be an “off-label” implantation and funding / insurance may be difcult to acquire.
Pertinent Clinical Questions Prior toChoosing SNS
• Have you tried EVERYTHING else?
Congenital Sacral Malformation, Spina Bifida, andSacral Agenesis
Implantation in patients with sacral malformations can create unique technical chal­lenges for implanting surgeons. According to Povo etal. [61], the rate of the malfor­mations is much higher than would be estimated in the population. In a review of around 1000 imaging studies, they identied malformations of the sacrum at a rate of 24.1% which could impact percutaneous placement and foraminal anatomy.
Much of the literature surrounding implantation in patients with spina bida originates in the pediatric literature, most being small case series. Size of study not­withstanding, the results of implantation using standard percutaneous, uoroscopi­cally guided techniques have been good, with many patients moving on to formal implantation for either fecal incontinence, neurogenic bladder, or both [6264]. Of note is the 2012 study by Lansen-Koch etal. Though the number of patients was low [10], 8 of them were able to undergo successful percutaneous implantation in the setting of spina bida and the median age was 26.4 years old. This view is