- Reference Number: HEY047/2025
- Departments: GI Physiology
- Last Updated: 31 August 2025
Introduction
This leaflet has been produced to give you general information about your procedure. Most of your questions should be answered by this leaflet. It is not intended to replace the discussion between you and your healthcare professional but may act as a starting point for discussion. If after reading it you have any concerns or require further explanation, please discuss this with a member of the healthcare team caring for you.
What is Temporary Sacral Nerve Neuromodulation?
Neuromodulation refers to the application of low voltage electrical stimulation to nerves to modify their activity.
People with faecal incontinence or urgency may be offered sacral nerve neuromodulation after consulting a healthcare professional. The temporary procedure typically lasts for two weeks and enables assessment of suitability for potential permanent sacral nerve neuromodulation.
The process involves inserting an electrode into the lower back (sacrum) under local anaesthetic and sedation. This electrode stimulates the sacral nerve which influences the muscles of the anal canal, bladder and pelvic floor. The electrode is connected by wire to an external test device worn on a strap around the lower chest.
During the testing period, individuals are asked to keep a diary to record any changes observed with temporary neuromodulation. This assists in determining appropriateness for permanent placement.
Why do I need Temporary Sacral Nerve Neuromodulation?
Temporary sacral nerve neuromodulation is offered to people with faecal incontinence and urgency. This is when other treatments have not worked. By stimulating the sacral nerve, the function of the anus and pelvic floor may improve potentially alleviating symptoms.
This temporary phase is minimally invasive and reversible allowing healthcare professionals to evaluate its suitability.
Can there be any complications or risks?
As with all surgical procedures, risks exist. Some relate to surgery and anaesthetics, others are specific to this procedure.
Risks particular to this procedure include nerve injury or pelvic bleeding due to electrode placement. This occurs in less than 1% of cases and may require further intervention.
There is also a risk of superficial infection at the electrode site, occurring in about 1% of cases and generally resolves with antibiotics.
Although this procedure is established as low-risk, unforeseen side effects or risks may still be identified.
How do I prepare for Temporary Sacral Nerve Neuromodulation?
Review the information in this leaflet and consider sharing it with family members or caregivers, especially if they will assist following the procedure.
As with similar procedures, fasting from food and liquids is required beforehand. Details regarding timing will be provided in the admission letter or at pre-assessment.
What will happen?
Information about where and when to attend will be given at the pre-assessment or via admission letter. Prior to the procedure, patients meet with both the anaesthetic and surgical teams who will review the process and obtain consent.
The procedure generally takes around 30 minutes. In an operating theatre, an electrode wire is inserted into the sacrum using a needle and then withdrawn after electrode placement. This is done under sedation administered through the back of the hand and local anaesthetic in the lower back. The electrode wire remains in place secured by a large dressing until removal two weeks later.
Recovery from sedation follows the procedure, with mild discomfort possible at the electrode site.
A healthcare professional will connect the electrode to the test device and explain its operation before discharge. Transport arrangements should be made in advance as driving is not permitted immediately after the procedure.
What happens afterwards?
After discharge, individuals are advised to maintain typical daily activities as much as possible.
Baths and full showers should be avoided to prevent the dressing and electrode from getting wet. If the dressing comes loose, it can be reinforced with an additional dressing placed over the original. The original dressing should remain in place.
A diary will be provided to document potential benefits during the trial. These records assist the medical team in assessing whether to proceed with permanent implantation. Thorough record keeping is necessary if a funding application for permanent implantation is required.
A follow-up hospital visit is scheduled two weeks post-procedure for electrode removal, which takes approximately five minutes. At the two-week appointment, the results of the procedure will be reviewed, and further management will be discussed. You are able to drive to this appointment if you wish.
For further information, contact the Department of GI Physiology at telephone: tel: 01482 624036.
General Advice and Consent
Most of your questions should have been answered by this leaflet, but remember that this is only a starting point for discussion with the healthcare team.
Consent to treatment
Before any doctor, nurse or therapist examines or treats you, they must seek your consent or permission. In order to make a decision, you need to have information from health professionals about the treatment or investigation which is being offered to you. You should always ask them more questions if you do not understand or if you want more information.
The information you receive should be about your condition, the alternatives available to you, and whether it carries risks as well as the benefits. What is important is that your consent is genuine or valid. That means:
- you must be able to give your consent
- you must be given enough information to enable you to make a decision
- you must be acting under your own free will and not under the strong influence of another person
Information about you
We collect and use your information to provide you with care and treatment. As part of your care, information about you will be shared between members of a healthcare team, some of whom you may not meet. Your information may also be used to help train staff, to check the quality of our care, to manage and plan the health service, and to help with research. Wherever possible we use anonymous data.
We may pass on relevant information to other health organisations that provide you with care. All information is treated as strictly confidential and is not given to anyone who does not need it. If you have any concerns please ask your doctor, or the person caring for you.
Under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 we are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information we hold about you. For further information visit the following page: Confidential Information about You.
If you or your carer needs information about your health and wellbeing and about your care and treatment in a different format, such as large print, braille or audio, due to disability, impairment or sensory loss, please advise a member of staff and this can be arranged.
