Background: Fecal incontinence associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be particularly difficult to treat. Two recent studies showed that transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation may improve fecal continence. In this pilot study, we tested the usefulness of this noninvasive technique to treat fecal incontinence in IBD.
Methods: Twelve patients with IBD (7 Crohn's disease, 2 undetermined colitis, 3 ulcerative colitis) were treated by applying transcutaneous posterior tibial nerve electrical stimulation daily for 3 months. A clinical evaluation was performed at the end of treatment, with Wexner's score and Harvey-Bradshaw index and analog scales to assess symptoms and quality of life.
Results: At 3 months, 5 patients (41.6%) reported a significant symptomatic and quality of life improvement, although only 1 reported a significant modification in the Wexner score.
Conclusion: These preliminary results are encouraging, although further studies are necessary. Posterior tibial nerve electrical stimulation may represent a new therapeutic option to treat the difficult problem of fecal incontinence in patients with IBD.