Sacral neuromodulation for the management of severe constipation: development of a constipation treatment protocol.

BACKGROUND: Constipation is a common multifactorial gastrointestinal symptom with quality of life implications. Sacral neuromodulation has been used in the management of severe constipation with mixed results. The aim of this study was to review our experience of sacral neuromodulation as a treatment for chronic constipation and develop a chronic constipation management protocol. METHODS: In patients with severe constipation, failure of conservative management including biofeedback and rectal irrigation were considered for neuromodulation. Temporary stimulation lead was placed in the sacral foramen of eligible patients and pre and post stimulation bowel diaries were compared. Patients with ≥50% improvement in bowel diaries had permanent implant. Patients were followed up at 2 and 4 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months, and then yearly with bowel diaries. RESULTS: Temporary neuromodulation wires were implanted in 21 patients (20 female). Significant bowel diary improvement was seen in 12 (57%) patients (p < 0.01). Eleven permanent implants have been performed. Improvement in symptoms was lost in one patient. No major side effects were observed. Three patients have had reoperations (one wire fracture, one reposition of battery, and one poor initial lead placement). Improvements in bowel diaries have been maintained over a median follow-up period of 38 months (18-62 months). CONCLUSION: Sacral neuromodulation can provide long-term symptom relief in selected patients with severe constipation. Sacral neuromodulation should be incorporated into the treatment algorithm for chronic constipation.

Quality assurance in flexible sigmoidoscopy: medical and nonmedical endoscopists.

PURPOSE: The clinical assessment of position in colon and hence completion during flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) is believed to be inaccurate. The technique of applying endomucosal clips with follow-up X-ray has previously been used for establishing completion in colonoscopy. Furthermore, we have now trained non-healthcare professionals (non-medical endoscopists, NME) to perform FS, but there is no data on assessment of their performance of FS. We performed this study with the aims of determining accuracy of endoscopists' clinical impression regarding actual position of endoscope in colon during FS, comparing medical (ME) and NME in terms of clinical accuracy, and to determine role of endomucosal clips with follow-up X-rays in documenting completion and hence quality assurance. METHODS: All patients undergoing elective FS, except those with surgical resection, were included, after ethics approval. During FS, endoscopist applied an endomucosal clip at most proximal bowel reached and endoscopists recorded their independent opinion about position of clip. Post procedure, all patients underwent an abdominal X-ray, reported by consultant radiologist, blinded to outcome of FS. X-ray results were compared with endoscopist findings. Complete FS was defined as one where descending colon was reached. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients, with median age of 55 years, participated in study. The endoscopists were accurate in their assessment of position in colon in 38 patients (75%). The attending nurse was accurate in only 31% of cases. The crude and corrected completion rates were 73% and 84%, respectively. There was no correlation between length of endoscope and its position in colon. There were no differences between NME and ME in terms of clinical accuracy. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that clinical impression of endoscopist during FS regarding position is not very accurate, implying need for regular quality assurance. The technique of applying endomucosal clips with follow-on abdominal X-ray is an excellent objective measure of quality assurance in FS. NME can perform FS with comparable completion rates and accuracy.