Treatment

InterStim for bowel control: treating accidental bowel leakage

When diet changes, bowel retraining, pelvic floor work and medicine have not stopped bowel leakage, InterStim sacral nerve stimulation is the next step our team discusses. You can be evaluated at our Marietta, Canton, Dallas or Jasper office, and the test-phase and implant procedures take place at our Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center.

Call (678) 344-8900 Book online

Advanced Urology Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center name card with street address

What is InterStim?

InterStim is a Medtronic sacral nerve stimulation system. A thin wire placed near the sacral nerves, just above the tailbone, delivers mild electrical pulses that help the nerves, muscles and brain that control the bowel work together again. It treats chronic fecal incontinence, meaning bowel leakage that has gone on for a long time and has not improved enough with conservative care. It is reversible: the stimulation can be switched off, and the device can be taken out.

Who may be a candidate for InterStim for bowel leakage?

Adults with chronic accidental bowel leakage or bowel urgency that diet and fiber changes, bowel retraining, pelvic floor work and medicine have not controlled
People who would like to try the therapy for a short period before deciding on a permanent implant
People who also have bladder urgency or urge leakage, since InterStim is also used for overactive bladder

Bleeding, a sudden change in bowel habits or other signs of a problem in the colon are checked first, because leakage from those causes needs different care.

How does the InterStim test phase work?

The test phase lets you see whether InterStim helps before anything is implanted for good. A temporary wire is placed near the sacral nerves and connected to a small external device you wear. For 3 to 14 days you go about your normal routine and keep a diary of leaks and urgent trips. If leakage and urgency improve by about half or more, a permanent implant is the next conversation. If they do not, the temporary wire comes out and we talk through other options.

What is the permanent InterStim implant like?

The permanent device is placed under the skin during a short procedure. There are two types: the rechargeable InterStim Micro, which you charge from outside the skin, and the recharge-free InterStim X, which needs no charging. Our team goes through the trade-offs with you, including how you feel about routine charging, before the implant is scheduled.

Where is InterStim for bowel control done?

Your first visit can be at our Marietta, Canton, Dallas or Jasper office; each one evaluates and treats bowel leakage. The test-phase wire placement and the permanent implant are scheduled at our Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center at 1371 Church Street Extension NW, Marietta. Patients from Canton, Dallas and Jasper come to Marietta for those procedures and return to their usual office for follow-up.

What comes before InterStim?

Most people start with the conservative steps described on our bowel leakage guide: diet and fiber changes to firm the stool, bowel retraining to set a routine, pelvic floor work and medicine matched to the cause. InterStim comes up when those have been given a fair trial and leakage still affects daily life.

What should I watch for after the procedure?

Some soreness where the wire or device was placed is expected for a few days. Call us promptly for fever, redness, swelling or drainage at the incision, or new pain over the device. If leaks return after a period of improvement, tell us, because the device can be checked at a follow-up visit.

Does InterStim help bladder leakage too?

InterStim is also used for overactive bladder, so people with bladder and bowel leakage together may get help for both from one system. Our overactive bladder page and the article What is InterStim (sacral nerve stimulation)? cover the bladder side.

Where can I get bowel leakage treatment near me?

Every one of our four offices sees patients for bowel leakage, so your first visit can be in Marietta, Canton, Dallas or Jasper.

Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center, 1371 Church Street Extension NW, Marietta, GA 30060. Bowel leakage is evaluated and treated here. InterStim test-phase and implant procedures for all four offices take place in this building.
Canton Clinic, 2205 Riverstone Blvd Suite 101, Canton, GA 30114. Bowel leakage is evaluated and treated here. Any procedure is scheduled at our Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center, with follow-up back here.
Dallas Clinic, 2713 Charles Hardy Parkway, Bldg 100, Suite 122, Dallas, GA 30157. Bowel leakage is evaluated and treated here. Any procedure is scheduled at our Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center, with follow-up back here.
Jasper Clinic, 49 Gordon Rd Suite 103, Jasper, GA 30143. Bowel leakage is evaluated and treated here. Any procedure is scheduled at our Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center, with follow-up back here.

Questions people ask us

Is InterStim for bowel control done at your Marietta office?

Yes. The test-phase wire placement and the permanent implant are scheduled at our Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center on Church Street Extension NW. Your evaluation can start at our Marietta, Canton, Dallas or Jasper office, and follow-up visits can return there.

How long does the InterStim test phase last?

The test phase runs for 3 to 14 days with a temporary wire and a small external device. You keep a diary of leaks and urgent trips during that time. If leakage and urgency improve by about half or more, we discuss the permanent implant.

What happens if the test phase does not help?

The temporary wire is removed and no permanent device is placed. We go back over your diary and talk through other options, such as adjusting diet, medicine or pelvic floor work.

Can InterStim be removed?

Yes. InterStim is reversible: it can be switched off, and the device can be taken out. That is one reason people are comfortable starting with the test phase.

Should I choose the rechargeable or recharge-free InterStim?

InterStim Micro is rechargeable and is charged from outside the skin on a regular schedule. InterStim X needs no charging at all. People who do not want a charging routine often lean toward InterStim X, and our team reviews both with you before the implant.

Do I have to try other bowel leakage treatments first?

Usually, yes. Diet and fiber changes, bowel retraining, pelvic floor work and medicine come first, and InterStim is for chronic leakage that has not improved enough with those steps.

Ready to talk about bowel leakage? Call or book online for a visit at our Marietta, Canton, Dallas or Jasper office.