Electrostimulation is not a clinically effective treatment of anal incontinence

Objective To evaluate the manometric and clinical efficacies of electrostim ulation to treat anal incontinence, Patients and methods Thirty-three women suffering from anal incontinence se lf-administered anal electrostimulation twice daily for 15-min intervals fo r 4 months. Results After 4 months, the incontinence score decreased from 10.4 +/- 0.5 to 7.1 +/- 0.8 (P< 0.001) but all patients except two remained incontinent. The decrease in the incontinence score was more marked in patients receivi ng medical treatment for an associated bowel disorder, than in patients tre ated by electrostimulation alone, Anal resting pressures and the amplitude of voluntary anal contractions did not increase after 4 months. Conclusion Electrostimulation decreased the incontinence score but all pati ents except two remained incontinent after 4 months, suggesting that electr ostimulation is not a clinically effective treatment of anal incontinence. for J Gastroenterol Hepatol 11:1045-1047 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wil kins.