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Janne Fassov,1 Donghua Liao,2 Christina Brock,3 Lilli Lundby,4 Søren Laurberg,4 Klaus Krogh1 1Department Of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; 2GIOME Academia, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; 3Mech-Sense, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Aalborg University Hospital and Clinical Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark; 4Department of Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, DenmarkCorrespondence: Janne FassovDepartment of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, Aarhus N 8200, DenmarkTel +45 26756602Email janfas@rm.dkPurpose: Irritable bowel syndrome is a common gastrointestinal disorder with a global prevalence of approximately 11%. Onset or worsening of symptoms following digestion is one of the characteristics of the condition. The present study aimed at evaluating the postprandial sensory and motor response before and after treatment with sacral nerve modulation.Patients and Methods: Twenty-one irritable bowel syndrome patients, 12 diarrhea-predominant and 9 mixed, were eligible for a 6-week sacral nerve modulation test period. Patients were investigated with multimodal impedance planimetry including a standardized meal at baseline and at the end of 2 weeks of suprasensory stimulation embedded in the 6-week sacral nerve modulation period.Results: There was no statistical significant difference in the sensory response to heat or cold before and after sacral nerve modulation, p> 0.05. At baseline, wall tension increased after the meal (mean 124.79 [range 82.5 to 237.3] mmHg.mm before the meal, mean 207.76 [range, 143.5 to 429] mmHg.mm after the meal), p=0.048 indicating a postprandial response. During sacral nerve modulation, the postprandial increase in wall tension did not reach statistical significance (mean 86.79 [range 28.8 to 204.5] mmHg.mm before the meal, mean 159.71 [range 71.3 to 270.8] mmHg.mm after the meal), p=0.277. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the postprandial wall tension at baseline and during sacral nerve modulation, p=0.489. Likewise, we found no difference between pressure or stretch ratio at baseline and during sacral nerve modulation, p> 0.05.Conclusion: Sacral nerve modulation does not exert its positive treatments effects in diarrhea-predominant and mixed irritable bowel syndrome through a modulation of the postprandial response.Keywords: sacral nerve stimulation, sacral nerve modulation, postprandial response, gastrocolic response, irritable bowel syndrome

AIM: In Europe during the last decade sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) or sacral neuromodulation (SNM) has been used to treat faecal incontinence (FI) and constipation. Despite this, there is little consensus on baseline investigations, patient selection and operative technique. A modified Delphi process was conducted to seek consensus on the current practice of SNS/SNM for FI and constipation.METHOD: A systematic literature search of SNS for FI and constipation was conducted using PubMed. A set of questions derived from the search and expert opinion were answered on-line on two occasions by an international panel of specialists from Europe. A 1-day face-to-face meeting of the experts finalized the discussion.RESULTS: Three hundred and ninety-three articles were identified from the literature search, of which 147 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Twenty-two specialists in FI and constipation from Europe participated. Agreement was achieved on 43 (86%) of 50 domains including the set-up of service, patient selection, baseline investigations, operative technique and programming of the device. The median of agreement was 95% (35-100%).CONCLUSION: Consensus was achieved on the majority of domains of SNS/SNM for FI and constipation. This should serve as a benchmark for safe and quality practice of SNS/SNM in Europe.

Aim Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is an established treatment for faecal incontinence (FI) when conservative modalities have failed to restore continence. This two-centre study aimed to document functional outcome and its relationship to patient satisfaction. Method Patients treated with SNS for idiopathic FI in Aarhus (Denmark) and Maastricht (The Netherlands) were included. At the most recent follow-up appointment, 127 patients (80%) were identified as receiving active SNS therapy. A questionnaire considering bowel habits, quality of life, and self-reported satisfaction and a 3-week bowel-habit diary were mailed to these patients, and 85% responded. Results Patient satisfaction was clearly related to the number of FI episodes. Patients experiencing full continence were all satisfied, and although the satisfaction rate decreased as the number of FI episodes increased, 46% of the patients with more FI episodes at follow-up than at baseline were still satisfied. Per-protocol analysis resulted in a satisfaction rate of 57.3%. In total, 74.7% of the patients receiving active SNS therapy reported a reduction of = 50% in FI episodes, 10.3% of whom were dissatisfied after a median of 46 months of follow-up. Conclusion There is a clear relationship between patient satisfaction and improved continence. A total of 57.3% of the patients offered SNS therapy were satisfied at follow-up. However, 46% of the patients with more FI episodes at follow-up than at baseline were also satisfied. Therefore, functional outcome of SNS therapy cannot be based only on bowel-habit diaries and bowel scores.

Udgivelsesdato: 2010-Jan Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is effective against faecal incontinence, but the mode of action is obscure. The aim of this study was to describe the effects of SNS on fasting and postprandial rectal motility. Sixteen patients, 14 women age 33-73 (mean 58), with faecal incontinence of various aetiologies were examined. Before and during SNS, rectal cross-sectional area (CSA) and ano-rectal pressures were determined with impedance planimetry and manometry for 1 h during fast and 1 h postprandially. Neither in the fasting state nor postprandially did SNS affect the number of single rectal contractions, total time with cyclic rectal contractions, the number of aborally and orally propagating contractions, the number of anal sampling reflexes or rectal wall tension during contractions. Postprandial changes in rectal tone were significantly reduced during SNS (P < 0.02). Before SNS, median rectal CSA was 2999 mm(2) (range: 1481-3822) during fast and 2697 mm(2) (range: 1227-3310) postprandially (P < 0.01). During SNS, median rectal CSA was 2990 mm(2) (1823-3678) during fast and 2547 mm(2) (1831-3468) postprandially (P = 0.22). SNS for faecal incontinence does not affect phasic rectal motility but it impairs postprandial changes in rectal tone.

Phantom breast syndrome following mastectomy has been reported by other authors. However, the temporal course, character and extent of this phenomena have not been elucidated. In a prospective study we have investigated the incidence, clinical picture and temporal course of phantom breast syndrome. One hundred and twenty women who started postoperative control or treatment at the Oncology Department over a one-year period were interviewed by a standard questionnaire three weeks after the operation. One year later 110 patients and six years later 68 patients were interviewed again. The incidence of phantom pain and non-painful phantom sensations was respectively 13.3% and 15.0%, respectively three weeks after the mastectomy. 12.7% and 11.8% after one year, and 17.4% and 11.8% after six years. A significant relationship between preoperative pain and phantom breast syndrome was found, but neither age, cancer treatment or postoperative sequelae seemed to affect the occurrence of phantom breast syndrome. Scar pain was found to persist in 30.9% of the patients six years after the operation. The present incidence of phantom-related phenomena is close to the incidence reported by others. However, persistent phantom pain after mastectomy may be more common than usually expected. Also, the persistence of scar pain seems to be more common than generally expected.

The frequency of recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) was investigated in a material of 664 Danish schoolchildren. 15% of the children aged 9-12 years had RAP, defined as at least three episodes of abdominal pain during a period of three months with pain of an intensity which affected the behavior of the child. In general, there was no significant difference in the frequency of RAP in boys and girls in the material, however, a preponderance of girls with RAP after the age of ten years was found. The investigation showed that symptoms such as headache, limb pains and diarrhoea were experienced more frequently among children with RAP. In general, RAP occurred more frequently among children in families with high frequencies of psychosomatic symptoms. 40% of all the children questioned lived in broken homes. A tendency to increased frequency of RAP was found among these children. Children who lived in a garden city had essentially lower frequencies of RAP than children from other areas. There was an evident preponderance of children with RAP in families who lived in flats. There was no significant difference in the school and occupational education of the parents and the frequency of RAP. Udgivelsesdato: 1990-Sep-24

The treatment of transsphincteric anal fistulas in Crohn's disease is a balance between the elimination of the sepsis and the functional outcome. Loose setons can be used as a preoperative drainage or chronic treatment. Fibrin glue and the anal fistula plug are methods with excellent functional outcomes, but the success rate varies. The endorectal advancement flap is considered to be the gold standard. Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract is promising. Proctectomy or proctocolectomy in combination with transposition flaps may be necessary. A success rate of 66-70% has been reported.

Lay Summary Clinical decision-making in the treatment of patients with obstructed defaecation remains controversial and no international guidelines have been provided so far. This study reports a consensus among European opinion leaders on the management of obstructed defaecation in different possible clinical scenarios.Management of obstructed defaecation is challenging and remains controversial. No international guidelines have been published.