Incontinence of Urine and Feces Persisting After Spinal Meningocele Repair: A Rehabilitation Case in Our Hospital

In Dongshan Village, Xichang, Sichuan, young Wang, a boy with spinal meningocele, can finally run, play, and learn with his friends in kindergarten, thanks to Professor Xiao Chuan-Guo, who successfully treated his urinary incontinence and foot deformities.

Born with congenital spinal meningocele, 6-year-old Wang was diagnosed shortly after birth. At just four months old, his parents took him to West China Hospital for an examination and he underwent spinal meningocele repair surgery. However, post-surgery, he developed incontinence, difficulty urinating, and dribbling urine.

Despite seeking treatment in many places, Wang’s condition remained untreated, and the medical expenses significantly burdened his family. Eventually, his parents learned about Professor Xiao Chuan-Guo, renowned for treating spinal meningocele, who had opened a hospital in Shenzhen. They traveled a long distance to Shenzhen to seek treatment for Wang at Professor Xiao’s hospital.

Professor Xiao conducted a thorough examination of Wang, who had a 6cm round mass at the sacrococcygeal region since birth, now with muscle atrophy in the buttocks and lower legs, unequal diameters and lengths of the lower limbs, relaxed anal sphincter, normal knee and Achilles reflexes, varus deformity of the right foot, and calcaneal foot on the left. The diagnosis included neurogenic bladder, tethered cord syndrome, post-spinal meningocele repair, left calcaneal foot, and right high arch foot. Professor Xiao assured Wang’s parents that the surgery would enable Wang to lead a nearly normal life like other children.

Wang underwent the Xiao procedure (artificial body visceral nerve anastomosis), untethering of the spinal cord, and spinal canal expansion decompression surgeries. The surgeries went smoothly, and Wang’s urinary function improved significantly, although he was advised to drink plenty of water to prevent urinary tract blockage. Wang recovered quickly, and within 21 days, he was much better. Upon discharge, Wang and his family gratefully thanked Professor Xiao for enabling them to return to a happy and joyful life.