Sacral nerve modulation in the treatment of chronic pain after pelvic surgery

Aim The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of sacral nerve modulation for chronic pelvic pain after pelvic or anal surgery for benign disease. Method From January 2004 to December 2009, 17 (14 female; age 56 years) consecutive patients suffering from chronic pelvic pain underwent evaluation for sacral nerve modulation in three pelvic floor units. Results The previous surgery included stapled transanal rectal resection (five), hysterectomy (four), haemorrhoidectomy (two), stapled haemorrhoidopexy (one), fistulectomy (one), urethral sphincterotomy (one), appendicectomy (one), discectomy (one) and laparoscopy for endometriosis (one). Eight (47%) patients fulfilled the criteria for definitive implantation and were followed for a mean of 39 months. Using a visual analog pain score, pain levels fell from 8.2 preoperatively to 1.9, 2.1, 2.0 and 1.8 at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months, respectively. Age < 60 years and duration of symptoms of < 24 months were good predictors and stapling was a poor predictor of success. Conclusion Sacral nerve modulation seems to be effective over time in some patients with chronic pain related to previous surgery.