Children with congenital spina bifida from Taiwan have been rehabilitated at our hospital

For over a decade, the Xiao procedure, a pioneering surgery developed by Professor Xiao Chuan-Guo that connects somatic and visceral nerves to form a reflex arc, has cured thousands of patients suffering from urinary and fecal incontinence due to congenital spina bifida, myelomeningocele, and paraplegia. These successful cases span from Shandong to Guangdong, from Heilongjiang to Hainan Island, and from Xinjiang to Tibet, covering most parts of the country. Right after the New Year, a young patient from Taiwan also received treatment at Xiao Chuan-Guo Hospital, extending the reach of the Xiao procedure’s benefits across the Chinese mainland.

Wenwen (pseudonym), a ten-year-old, was treated at Xiao Chuan-Guo Hospital with his mother by his side.

Wenwen was born with a spinal defect at the sacral region but initially showed no significant symptoms, causing little concern for his parents. However, by the age of one, they noticed Wenwen couldn’t control his bladder or bowels like other children his age. Local hospital treatments were ineffective, so Wenwen’s parents, who were businesspeople across the strait, took him to a renowned hospital in Guangzhou. Diagnosed with tethered cord syndrome, he underwent spinal surgery, but the procedure did not resolve his incontinence, worrying his parents deeply.

In 2009, Wenwen underwent another spinal surgery in a famous hospital in Beijing, but still suffered from frequent urination, incontinence, and constipation, needing to urinate every hour and defecate up to seven times a day. This situation was not only troubling for his family and friends but also inconvenient for Wenwen’s daily life and studies. Despite these challenges, Wenwen, a bright and understanding child, never fell below the top three in his class and maintained a cheerful and optimistic disposition, getting along well with teachers and classmates.

Wenwen’s optimistic attitude was comforting to his parents, but considering his future, they continued to seek treatment opportunities, even consulting with doctors in the United States, though to no avail, leading to disappointment.

However, persistence paid off. At the beginning of 2016, Wenwen’s parents learned online about the Xiao procedure developed by Professor Xiao Chuan-Guo for treating incontinence caused by spinal injury. They immediately took Wenwen to Xiao Chuan-Guo Hospital in Shenzhen.

Upon arrival, the medical team noted Wenwen’s condition, including a scar approximately 8cm long from previous surgeries, acceptable muscle tone in his limbs, heel contractures, clubfoot, and a relaxed anal sphincter. Diagnosed with tethered cord syndrome, congenital spina bifida, neurogenic bladder, and post-spinal repair, Wenwen could run and jump, but his gait was affected due to nerve damage. Professor Xiao Chuan-Guo warned that delaying treatment could worsen his clubfoot and lead to more severe limb deformities, affecting his daily life.

On February 16, 2016, Professor Xiao Chuan-Guo performed a spinal detethering surgery followed by the Xiao procedure on Wenwen. The surgery was challenging due to extensive scarring and disorganized spinal nerves, requiring meticulous dissection under a surgical microscope. Despite these difficulties, the surgery lasted over four hours and was a success, with excellent nerve alignment and a promising recovery outlook.

Wenwen’s parents are immensely grateful for Professor Xiao Chuan-Guo’s timely intervention, which has allowed Wenwen to live without a catheter and avoid potential urinary tract infections, effectively becoming a normal child no longer in constant need of care. Already bright and sensible, Wenwen now smiles even brighter, knowing a vast world awaits him. We too look forward to his continued health, happiness, and success in life.