Abstract:

Aim: Fecal incontinence is still a complex disorder in the daily practices of colorectal surgeons. Nerve stimulation and injection of bulking agent are two minimal invasive methods in the treatment of fetal incontinence. In the present study, the aim was to compare the short-term effectiveness of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) and injection of bulking agent in the treatment of fecal incontinence. Method: A total of 41 patients with fecal incontinence, who were treated with PTNS or bulking agent injection at İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, were enrolled in the study. Both groups were evaluated in terms of demographic data, the etiology of fecal incontinence, anorectal physiology test results, Wexner Fecal Incontinence Score and Modified Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life-Scale scores. The questionnaires were performed in the 12th month of the pre- and post-treatment periods. Results: Of the patients, 24 (59%) were female, and 17 (41%) were male. The median age was 50 years (in between 25-71 years), and the mean body mass index was 27.7 kg/m2 (in between 20-41 kg/m2). Twenty-two (54%) patients underwent PTNS; whereas, 19 (46%) patients underwent bulking agent injection. Both groups were found to be similar in terms of demographic data, pre-treatment fecal incontinence assessment and quality of life measurement. When the pre- and post-treatment fecal incontinence and the quality of life scores of the patients were evaluated, both methods were found to be efficient in the treatment of fecal incontinence (p<0.001). It has been experienced that these two techniques were equally effective when they were compared to each other (p=0.315 and 0.501). Conclusion: Both techniques were effective in the treatment of fecal incontinence. The percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation is less invasive, whereas injection of bulking agent provides fewer hospital visits with faster improvement.

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