Radiofrequency energy delivery to the anal canal: is it a promising new approach to the treatment of fecal incontinence?

Kim, Duck-Woo; Yoon, Hong-Man; Park, Jun-Seok; Kim, Young Hoon; Kang, Sung-Bum

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2007.11.023

« Previous Next »The American Journal of Surgery
Volume 197, Issue 1 , Pages 14-18, January 2009

Radiofrequency energy delivery to the anal canal: is it a promising new approach to the treatment of fecal incontinence?

Duck-Woo Kim, M.D.
- D.-W.K. and H.-M.Y. contributed equally to this work.
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 300 Gumi-Dong, Bundang-Gu, 463-707 Seongnam, Korea
Hong-Man Yoon, M.D.
- D.-W.K. and H.-M.Y. contributed equally to this work.
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 300 Gumi-Dong, Bundang-Gu, 463-707 Seongnam, Korea
Jun-Seok Park
- Department of Surgery, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
Young Hoon Kim, M.D., Ph.D.
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
Sung-Bum Kang, M.D., Ph.D.
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 300 Gumi-Dong, Bundang-Gu, 463-707 Seongnam, Korea
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +82-31-787-7093; fax: +82-31-787-4055

Received 17 September 2007; received in revised form 27 November 2007 published online 10 July 2008.

Abstract

Background

The present study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of the delivery of radiofrequency energy to the anal canal (the SECCA procedure).

Methods

Eight patients with fecal incontinence underwent the SECCA procedure. The Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI) score and the Fecal Incontinence-related Quality of Life (FIQL) scale were completed at baseline and after the procedure. Anorectal manometry and endoanal ultrasound also were conducted.

Results

Seven of the 8 patients were women, and the median age of the patients was 59 years (range, 28–73 y). The mean FISI score and all of the parameters in the FIQL scale with the exception of the embarrassment scale measured at 6 months after the procedure was not improved significantly. We observed no changes in the anal manometry and endoanal ultrasound parameters. Complications associated with the procedure developed in 7 of the 8 patients, including anal bleeding, anal pain, and anal mucosal discharge.

Conclusions

The FISI score and FIQL scale were not improved significantly after the SECCA procedure, and considerable complications were associated with the procedure.

Keywords: Anorectal manometry, Endoanal ultrasonography, Fecal incontinence, Radiofrequency, SECCA procedure