News & Events
International Pioneer in Sacral Nerve Stimulation visits RCRS and Rochester Health System
Posted on: 10/29/2011
Dr. Klaus Matzel, professor of Surgery at the University of Erlangen in Germany, visited RCRS and Rochester General Health System in October.
Dr. Matzel, an internationally acclaimed surgeon, pioneered Sacral Nerve Stimulation (SNS) in the mid 1990s in Germany and Europe. SNS is a minimally invasive treatment to target fecal incontinence (the uncontrolled passage of stool or gas) and can eliminate fecal incontinence, allowing previously housebound women and men to resume their daily activities.
Dr. Matzel’s contribution has eliminated the need for a colostomy (stool bag) in tens of thousands patients. Potential candidates for neurostimulation therapy undergo a trial assessment that lasts several days. This allows patients to ‘test’ the therapy before making a long-term commitment. If the preliminary outcome proves improvement, the surgeon implants a thin, flexible wire attached to a small stimulator device (similar to a pacemaker) which sends mild electrical pulses to the tailbone nerves to keep bowel incontinence in check.
During his visit Dr. Matzel gave several lectures featuring Sacral Nerve Stimulation. He also observed Dr. Hriesik performing the procedure sharing his expertise with the colorectal operating room team.
“SNS is a breakthrough option to treat fecal incontinence”, said Dr. Claudia Hriesik, who learned the procedure from Dr. Matzel in Germany. Since June 2011 she and her partners at Rochester Colon and Rectal Surgeons offer SNS at RGH. “Most patients could not achieve normal bowel control before this unique approach” she explains. “The FDA approved SNS only this year for patients here in the US; my colleagues in Europe have been curing bowel incontinence with SNS for over a decade so we know the long term results are excellent”.
