Introduction: Radiofrequency is a treatment option for patients suffering from fecal incontinence.
Objective: To assess the one-year follow-up results following the radiofrequency procedure for fecal incontinence.
Design: Prospective, single-center, observational study.
Materials and methods: Twenty-one patients underwent the SECCA® radiofrequency procedure, 19 of who completed the one-year of follow-up (Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence score, Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQoL), anorectal manometry, and endoanal ultrasound).
Main outcome measures: Any change in the Fecal Incontinence Score or Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life scales post SECCA® radiofrequency procedure.
Results: The mean Fecal Incontinence Score significantly improved at three months' follow-up from 14.5 prior to treatment to 11.9 post-treatment, and was maintained at six months (12). A slight decrease was observed at one year (12.9), which had no impact on the global satisfaction. During the same period, only 1/4 subsets of the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life score improved. Manometry and endoanal ultrasound did not show significant changes post procedure.
Limitations: Limited number of patients.
Conclusions: Radiofrequency is a valid treatment option for patients with mild-to-moderate fecal incontinence. This treatment has demonstrated clinically significant improvements in symptoms, as demonstrated by statistically significant reductions in the Fecal Incontinence Score as well as significant improvements in Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life scores at six months, with a slight, though not clinically significant, decrease at one year follow-up.