Stimulation of pudendal nerve for management of adult faecal incontinence using key hole surgery

ISRCTN ISRCTN49693042
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN49693042
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
20/04/2016
Registration date
20/04/2016
Last edited
05/09/2016
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Signs and Symptoms
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Faecal incontinence is the inability to control bowel movement, causing leakage of bowel contents from the back passage. It affects between 1-10% of adults, with 0.5-1% experiencing regular faecal incontinence episodes that affect their quality of life. It is more common in women and with advancing age. This study aims to manage and improve adult faecal incontinence by stimulating the pudendal nerve which controls the anal sphincter (back passage).

Who can participate?
Patients aged 18 or over who have experienced moderate to severe symptoms of faecal incontinence for more than 6 months and have not responded to conservative treatments

What does the study involve?
The procedure involves placing an electrode (thin wire) on to the pudendal nerve laparoscopically (keyhole surgery) under general anaesthesia. The wire is then connected to a small temporary battery taped to the lower back of the participant. Regular and gentle electrical pulses are passed along the wire from the battery to stimulate the nerve. During the test period of 2 weeks, the effectiveness of the procedure is measured using a specially designed questionnaire to assess faecal incontinence and quality of life.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
This procedure aims to improve the symptoms of faecal incontinence and quality of life. It provides an alternative option for those patients who have failed to improve with conservative management and SNS (currently the preferred and approved surgical management of faecal incontinence). General complications include: heart and lung complications, temporary urinary retention (inability to pass urine), and deep vein thrombosis (blood clots). Complications related to the general anaesthetic include: wound infection and haematoma (collection of blood), haemorrhage (bleeding more than anticipated), failure of surgical equipment, and injury to other organs in the pelvis. Device-related complications include: failed implant procedure, wound infection, electrode (lead) dislodgement, lead migration/fragmentation (movement of lead), neurological pains in the legs, perineum and vagina, pain at the battery site due to non-infective cause such as battery rotation, and lack or loss of effectiveness (reduced or lost response after operation).

Where is the study run from?
St James's University Hospital (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2016 to September 2017

Who is funding the study?
Investigator initiated and funded

Who is the main contact?
Mr Ibrahim Eltilib
i.eltilib@nhs.net

Contact information

Mr Sushil Maslekar
Scientific

Ground Floor, Lincoln Wing
St James's University Hospital
Beckett Street
Leeds
LS9 7TF
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)113 243 3144
Email sushil.maslekar@nhs.net

Study information

Study designProspective UK single-site feasibility study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designFeasibility study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleLaparoscopic trans-peritoneal pudendal nerve stimulation for management of faecal incontinence in adults
Study objectivesPudendal nerve stimulation is effective for management of faecal incontinence.
Ethics approval(s)REC2 East of Scotland, 02/09/2016, ref: 16/ES/0088
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedFaecal incontinence
InterventionThe procedure involves placing an electrode (thin wire) on to the pudendal nerve laparoscopically (key hole surgery) under general anaesthesia. The wire is then connected to a small temporary battery taped to the lower back of participant. Regular and gentle electrical pulses are passed along the wire from the battery to stimulate the nerve. During the test period which is 2 weeks, the effectiveness of the procedure will be measured using a specially designed questionnaires to assess faecal incontinence and quality of life. All procedures will be carried out by the investigating team at St James's University Hospital.
Intervention typeProcedure/Surgery
Primary outcome measure1. Short-term safety and efficacy (Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score (CCIS))
2. Impact on Quality of Life (QoL)
Measured prior to the surgery and 2 weeks after surgery.
Secondary outcome measures1. Difference in the percentage of successes, as defined by the device in use and ≥ 50% improvement in the Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score (CCIS), between pre-operative and 2 weeks post intervention
2. The safety of pudendal nerve stimulation as judged by explant rates and operative and post-operative complications
3. The effect on disease-specific QoL (Faecal Incontinence Quality of life Score (FiQol)) and overall QoL (SF-12 score)
Overall study start date01/09/2016
Completion date01/09/2017

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants10
Key inclusion criteria1. Patients with moderate to severe faecal incontinence for more than 6 months and suffering ≥ two incontinence episodes per week
2. Patients should have had a trial of conservative management plus either be suitable for trial of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) or have had unsuccessful outcome with trial of SNS
3. Patients willing to participate in this study
4. Age ≥18 years
5. Able to provide written and informed consent
6. Suitable candidate for surgery
7. Able and willing to comply with terms of the protocol including filling in questionnaires
Key exclusion criteria1. Presence of anal sphincter augmentation device i.e. FENIX or ABS
2. Chronic gastro-intestinal motility disorder causing incontinence due to diarrhoea
3. Active anorectal sepsis or disease such as cancer
4. External rectal prolapse
5. Pregnancy
6. Suspected or known allergy to titanium
7. Multiply scarred abdomen precluding laparoscopic surgery
Date of first enrolment01/09/2016
Date of final enrolment01/09/2017

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

St James's University Hospital
Beckett Street
Leeds
LS9 7TF
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Leeds (UK)
University/education

Faculty Research Ethics and Governance Administrator
Faculty Research Office, Room 10.110, Level 10
Worsley Building, Clarendon Way
Leeds
LS2 9JT
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)113 343 7587
Email governance-ethics@leeds.ac.uk
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/024mrxd33

Funders

Funder type

Other

Investigator initiated and funded

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/09/2018
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planThe result of this study will be published in scientific journals. This study is also part of MD (Doctor of Medicine) degree project.
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No