Medtronic reports positive data from InterStim Therapy trial

Medtronic has announced positive findings from a three-year study that demonstrates the potential benefits offered by its InterStim Therapy to chronic faecal incontinence patients.

The minimally invasive treatment option, which utilises sacral nerve stimulation to reduce incontinent episodes, was evaluated in a multicentre prospective trial to gauge its safety and efficacy among 120 patients.

It was found that of the 77 study participants to complete all of the three-year follow-up assessments, 86 percent reported at least a 50 percent drop in the number of incontinent episodes they experienced per week, compared to baseline.

Cindy Kent, vice-president and general manager for gastro/urology therapies at Medtronic's neuromodulation division, said this evidence supports greater physician consideration of InterStim Therapy.

"Medtronic's innovative neurostimulation technologies have been shown to have a significant impact on a broad range of chronic medically refractory conditions," she said.

This comes after the company published data from a study last month showing the benefits of the drug-eluting stent Resolute in treating coronary artery disease.