Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38568325›Full record

ArticleTechniques in coloproctology2024

Short-term clinical and manometric outcomes of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence: a large single-centre series.

A O'Connor, C Molyneux, K Foster, G Faulkner, A Sharma, E Kiff, D H Vasant, K Telford

Open access · hybridAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Techniques in coloproctology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact, top 92% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 0 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Effects of Tibial Nerve Electrostimulation in Patients With Fecal Incontinence: A Systematic Review.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapy · 2026
    Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

A O'ConnorDepartment of Colorectal Surgery, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, 2nd Floor Acute Block, Southmoor Road, Manchester, M23 9LT, UK. alexander.oconnor@mft.nhs.uk.
C MolyneuxDepartment of Colorectal Surgery, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, 2nd Floor Acute Block, Southmoor Road, Manchester, M23 9LT, UK.
K FosterDepartment of Colorectal Surgery, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, 2nd Floor Acute Block, Southmoor Road, Manchester, M23 9LT, UK.
G FaulknerDepartment of Colorectal Surgery, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, 2nd Floor Acute Block, Southmoor Road, Manchester, M23 9LT, UK.
A SharmaDepartment of Colorectal Surgery, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, 2nd Floor Acute Block, Southmoor Road, Manchester, M23 9LT, UK.
E KiffDepartment of Colorectal Surgery, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, 2nd Floor Acute Block, Southmoor Road, Manchester, M23 9LT, UK.
D H VasantNeurogastroenterology Unit, Gastroenterology, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
K TelfordDepartment of Colorectal Surgery, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, 2nd Floor Acute Block, Southmoor Road, Manchester, M23 9LT, UK.
Wythenshawe Hospital · GBManchester University NHS Foundation Trust · GB

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFaecal incontinence (FI) is common, with a significant impact on quality of life. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) is a therapy for FI; however, its role has recently been questioned. Here we report the short-term clinical and manometric outcomes in a large tertiary centre.

methodsA retrospective review of a prospective PTNS database was performed, extracting patient-reported FI outcome measures including bowel diary, the St Marks's Incontinence Score (SMIS) and Manchester Health Questionnaire (MHQ). Successful treatment was > 50% improvement in symptoms, whilst a partial response was 25-50% improvement. High-resolution anorectal manometry (HRAM) results before and after PTNS were recorded.

resultsData were available from 135 patients [119 (88%) females; median age: 60 years (range: 27-82years)]. Overall, patients reported a reduction in urge FI (2.5-1) and passive FI episodes (2-1.5; p < 0.05) alongside a reduction in SMIS (16.5-14) and MHQ (517.5-460.0; p < 0.001). Some 76 (56%) patients reported success, whilst a further 20 (15%) reported a partial response. There were statistically significant reductions in rectal balloon thresholds and an increase in incremental squeeze pressure; however, these changes were independent of treatment success.

conclusionPatients report PTNS improves FI symptoms in the short term. Despite this improvement, changes in HRAM parameters were independent of this success. HRAM may be unable to measure the clinical effect of PTNS, or there remains the possibility of a placebo effect. Further work is required to define the role of PTNS in the treatment of FI.

Indexed as

Fecal IncontinenceAdultAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansMaleManometryMiddle AgedProspective StudiesQuality of LifeTibial NerveFaecal incontinenceHigh resolution anorectal manometryPercutaneous tibial nerve stimulationQuality of life

Identifiers

PMID38568325
PMCPMC10991030
OpenAlexW4393854131

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.