Obstructed Defecation: Relevance of Sacral Neuromodulation

Abstract

After successful implementation of sacral nerve stimulation in the treatment of fecal incontinence, the first cohort studies showed promising results for sacral neuromodulation in the treatment of conservative refractory chronic constipation and obstructed defecation. However, these results have not been confirmed with long-term data or with studies of the highest level of evidence. Randomised trials failed to show any difference between patients with and without sacral nerve stimulation. In the long term, many patients suffer from loss of efficacy or adverse events, leading to high explantation rates. On the basis of existing clinical trials, it cannot be concluded that sacral neuromodulation should be included in the treatment algorithm of chronic constipation and obstructed defecation. So far it is unclear whether and which patient cohort may benefit from sacral nerve stimulation. Therefore further trials are needed to identify possible selection criteria for sacral nerve stimulation in the treatment of chronic constipation and obstructed defecation. The aim of this narrative review is to give an overview of the existing literature on sacral nerve stimulation in chronic constipation and the subgroup of obstructed defecation.