• Tyler Cameron Tolopka and Craig A Messick.
• Department of Surgical Oncology, Section of Colon and Rectal Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
• Neuromodulation. 2017 Dec 1; 20 (8): 783-786.

ObjectiveThis case report provides evidence for our hypothesis that use of a sacral nerve stimulator may be considered in patients with fecal incontinence (FI) following chemoradiation and transanal operations in the setting of cancer including partial internal sphincter resections.Materials And MethodsA 57-year-old female with a history of anal melanoma was treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by wide local, transanal tumor excision with partial internal anal sphincter resection that resulted in ≥2 full fecal incontinent episodes/week with gas, liquid, and solid stool leakage ≥10/day requiring pad changes. After seven years of progressive FI, a sacral nerve stimulator was implanted following pre-placement anorectal manometry. Pre and post implant validated Cleveland Cleveland Clinic/Wexner Fecal Incontinence questionnaires and daily stool diaries (Medtronic) were completed. Data was stored in and collected from the patient's electronic health record.ResultsThe patient had a single episode of FI during the two week trial phase, but reports complete resolution of FI, urgency, and leakage since implantation through her 1-year post-implant follow-up visit. Additional improvements were noted in FI questionnaires: Cleveland Clinic/Wexner Fecal Incontinence Score of 17 at baseline to 3 post-implant and Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Score of 3.585 at baseline to 3.93 post-implant.ConclusionsThe application of sacral nerve stimulation may not be as limited as previously thought and should be considered for cancer survivors following chemoradiation and sphincter-sparing rectal and transanal resections. Though this single case report is suggestive, further research is necessary and would include a research protocol designed specifically for patients who have undergone chemoradiation and/or sphincter-sparing operations. We are currently working on such protocol at our institution.© 2017 International Neuromodulation Society.

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