Abstract
BackgroundFecal incontinence (FI) is a common condition that has devastating consequences for patients’ QOL. In some patients, the conventional functional pelvic floor electrical stimulation has been effective but is an invasive and embarrassing treatment. The object of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of functional extracorporeal magnetic stimulation (FMS) in strengthening the pelvic floor muscles without an anal plug and the embarrassment of undressing.Materials and MethodsThirty patients (26 female and 4 males) with FI were enrolled. All patients were assessed during a specialized coloproctology evaluation followed by endoanal ultrasonography and anorectal manometry. All patients underwent an FMS treatment once weekly for 8 weeks. Patients’ outcome was assessed by the Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence Score (CCFIS) and by the fecal incontinence QOL questionnaire (FIQL).ResultsAfter 8 weeks, the number of solid and liquid stool leakage per week was significantly reduced (p<0.05) with a significant improvement of the CCFIS and of the FIQL (p<0.05). Moreover, the authors recorded a missed recruitment of the agonist and antagonists’ defecation muscles.ConclusionFMS is a safe, non-invasive and painless treatment for FI. It could be recommended for selected patients with non-surgical FI to ensure a rapid clinical improvement.
Highlights
Fecal incontinence (FI) is defined as the involuntary loss of solid or liquid feces
The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of functional extracorporeal magnetic stimulation (FMS) as a non-undressed and no-probe-needed alternative technique to other functional therapies in patients affected by idiopathic FI, as an option for functional pelvic floor treatment
Nine patients suffered of idiopathic FI (4 males and 5 females), 21 females had previously given birth, and 7 of them had undergone episiotomy reporting a I-II degree according to Sultan classification of perineal obstetric injury [17]
Summary
Fecal incontinence (FI) is defined as the involuntary loss of solid or liquid feces. It is a prevalent condition with unpleasant consequences for quality of life (QOL) [1]. Mechanisms of continence involve a complex interplay between stool consistency, rectal compliance as reservoir, muscle groups of the pelvic floor, and proper function of the anal sphincter complex. The conventional functional pelvic floor electrical stimulation has been effective but is an invasive and embarrassing treatment. The object of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of functional extracorporeal magnetic stimulation (FMS) in strengthening the pelvic floor muscles without an anal plug and the embarrassment of undressing
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