Intestinal pacemaker
Intestinal pacemakers are a form of therapy for fecal incontinence . With light electrical impulses ( neurostimulation ), they specifically stimulate the sacral nerves responsible for continence in the sacrum area .
functionality
Neurostimulation by means of an intestinal pacemaker corrects electrical impulses of the nerves ( action potentials ), which inadvertently or mistakenly transmit the message of a full rectum to the brain via the sacral nerves. The method also uses weak electrical impulses that are sent to the sacral nerves via a stimulator implanted in the patient's buttocks.
Importance of test stimulation
A test stimulation with an external stimulator is used to check whether the attending physician has found the right nerve for stimulation and whether the patient is responding to the therapy. The doctor inserts an electrode into the sacrum and connects the electrode to an external stimulator, which is worn on a belt during the entire test phase. If the patient notices a significant improvement in his symptoms during the test phase lasting several weeks, an intestinal pacemaker is implanted and connected to the electrode in an operation lasting around an hour. The patient can regulate the current strength of the impulses himself within limits set by the doctor and, if necessary, switch off the device completely for a short time.
Energy storage capacity
The intestinal pacemaker is powered by a battery , the service life of which depends on the individual setting and use of the pacemaker: the lower the energy requirement of the device, the longer the battery life. The average lifespan is six years. The intestinal pacemaker can be exchanged when the battery is empty via a small skin incision under local anesthesia.
Study results
In clinical studies, up to 80 percent of patients were able to regain control of their sphincter muscles through the intestinal pacemaker.
