An animal model of faecal incontinence and sacral neuromodulation.

The pudendal nerves can be injured during traumatic vaginal childbirth and result in faecal incontinence. Some of these incontinent patients benefit from chronic sacral neuromodulation and the mechanism of action of this therapy has been a focus of many studies. In 2008, a rodent model of neuropathic faecal incontinence was introduced and subsequently validated through a series of investigations. This review summarizes the decade-long contribution of Professor Ronan O'Connell to the inception and application of this rodent model of faecal incontinence and sacral neuromodulation.