Australian Government - Department of Health and Ageing

Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC)

Application 1077

Sacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence

Application No.

1077

Application NameSacral nerve stimulation for faecal incontinence
Advisory PanelDr Ray Kirk
(Chair and MSAC member)
Ms Sheila Rimmer
(MSAC member)
Dr Michael Whishaw
(Continence Foundation of Australia nominee)
Assoc. Professor Eric Guazzo
(Neurological Society)
Mr Stephen Bell
(Colorectal Surgical Society nominee)
Mrs Elizabeth Symons
(Consumers' Health Forum of Australia)
Assoc. Professor David Lubowski
(Colorectal Surgical Society)
Date Received by MSAC Secretariat24 March 2004
Stage 1 - EligibilityEligible
Stage 2 - AssessmentCompleted
Stage 3 - Formulation of Advice to the MinisterThis assessment was considered by the MSAC at the 18 May 2005 meeting.

The MSAC recommended that there is evidence of safety for sacral nerve stimulation in adults with faecal incontinence refractory to conservative, non-surgical treatment and who have an anatomically intact but functionally deficient anal sphincter. The total number of patients is small; there is some evidence of effectivenss and cost-effectiveness. The MSAC supports public funding in these circumstances.
Stage 4 - DecisionEndorsed by the Minister for Health and Ageing 4 July 2005
Stage 5 - ImplementationImplemented