Information for the public

Benefits and risks

Benefits and risks

When NICE looked at the evidence, it decided that this procedure can be used if extra care is taken to explain the risks and extra steps are put in place to record and review what happens. This is because although there isn't much good evidence about how well this procedure works or how safe it is, it has the potential to significantly improve patients' quality of life. The 5 studies that NICE looked at involved a total of 54 patients.

Generally, they showed the following benefits:

  • Similar improvements in continence and quality of life compared with other procedures (nerve stimulation and insertion of an artificial sphincter).

  • In 1 study, 16 out of 23 patients were satisfied with the procedure, and 14 would recommend it.

  • One patient in a study of 14 patients chose to have the bead band removed because it did not meet their expectations.

The studies showed that the risks of inserting a magnetic bead band included:

  • infections up to 9 days after the procedure and an abscess 6 months after the procedure

  • swelling and redness 2 weeks after the procedure

  • difficulty passing stools, which was treated with enemas

  • bleeding (from the rectum or vagina), which went away on its own

  • pain (treated with medication)

  • the band breaking.

NICE was also told that discomfort and the band wearing away the tissue around it were other possible risks.

If you want to know more about the studies see the guidance. Ask your health professional to explain anything you don't understand.

  • Information Standard