Sacral neuromodulation: long-term outcome and quality of life in patients with faecal incontinence

Aim Since 1994 sacral neuromodulation (SNM) has increasingly been used for the treatment of faecal incontinence, but no long-term data in a large group of patients have so far been published. We report long-term outcome and quality of life in the first 50 patients treated by permanent SNM for faecal incontinence. Method We began to use SNM in 2000. Data from the first 50 patients with faecal incontinence who underwent permanent SNM are presented. Efficacy was assessed using a bowel diary and the Quality of Life score was assessed by the Faecal Incontinence Quality of Life questionnaire (FIQOL) and the standard short form health survey questionnaire (SF-36). Results Over a median follow up of 7.1 (5.6–8.7) years, forty-two (84%) patients had an improvement in continence of over 50%. Median incontinent episodes and days of incontinence per week decreased significantly during follow up (P