Journal article

Publication year: 2012

Pages: 345-351

Journal: Zentralblatt für Chirurgie

Volume number: 137

Issue number: 4

ISSN: 0044-409X

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0031-1271468

Publisher: Georg Thieme Verlag

Abstract: 

Background: The evidence for conservative treatment of anal incontinence is poor. In our first publication [Schwandner et al. Dis Colon Rectum 2010; 53: 1007-1016] we demonstrated that a novel therapeutic concept, termed triple target treatment (3T), combining amplitude-modulated medium frequency stimulation and electromyography biofeedback (EMG-BF) was superior to EMG-BF alone. Questions about the required treatment duration and the relevant subgroups of patients with sphincter damage and damaged anal sensibility were not addressed.

Methods: We enrolled 158 patients with anal incontinence in 1 his randomized study. Here, we report on the important subgroup analyses of patients with and without sphincter damage and damaged anal sensibility for the endpoints Cleveland Clinic Score (CCS) and success record. Using the results of this study we propose a novel treatment algorithm which is open for discussion.

Results: In patients with sphincter damage, the median difference on the CCS from baseline to 9 months was 5 Joints higher for 3T than for EMG-BF (95% confidence interval 0-8; p = 0.0168). While 47% of the patients with sphincter damage became continent with 3T, only 18% did with EMG-BF (p = 0.0036). Ten of 17 patients in the 3T group re-gained anal sensibility after 3 months stimulation. There was tendency towards improved continence in patients with neuropathy upon 3T treatment (p = 0.1219).

Conclusions: 3T is superior to EMG-BF alone for patients with sphincter damage and neuropathic anal incontinence. It is a successful key element within our treatment algorithm, even in patients with sphincter damage and neuropathic anal incontinence.

Harvard Citation style: Schwandner, T., Heimer, T., Koenig, I., Kierer, W., Roblick, M., Bouchard, R., et al. (2012) 3T-Al: A New Treatment Algorithm for Anal Incontinence with a Higher Evidence Level, Zentralblatt für Chirurgie, 137(4), pp. 345-351. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0031-1271468

APA Citation style: Schwandner, T., Heimer, T., Koenig, I., Kierer, W., Roblick, M., Bouchard, R., Unglaube, T., Holch, P., Kolbert, G., Padberg, W., & Ziegler, A. (2012). 3T-Al: A New Treatment Algorithm for Anal Incontinence with a Higher Evidence Level. Zentralblatt für Chirurgie. 137(4), 345-351. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0031-1271468