Utilizing Sacral Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment for Fecal Incontinence

Whether brought on by benign processes or cancer, sacral nerve stimulation can be a powerful, permanent tool to help resolve fecal incontinence for men and women alike. Anthony Dakwar, MD, FACS, a colorectal surgeon at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, explains the outpatient procedure, in which an electrical lead is placed into a patient’s sacral nerve, attached to an external generator for several days to determine whether stimulating the nerve can resolve or improve fecal incontinence. “A 20-minute outpatient procedure can be life-changing, both for the patient and their families,” Dr. Dakwar says, noting the success rate for non-cancer-related fecal incontinence can be around 90%.