Long-term Sacral Nerve Stimulation for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

A recent randomised, controlled, crossover study has shown that sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) significantly reduces symptoms and improves quality of life of highly selected patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Relief of IBS symptoms during SNS is associated with consistent changes in rectal sensitivity and biomechanical wall properties. The aim of the present study is to evaluate long-term efficacy of sacral nerve stimulation on symptoms and quality of life in patients with IBS in a randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover study.