The goal of this prospective observational study is to evaluate whether the addition of electrical pudendal nerve stimulation (EPNS) to standard conservative treatment can improve bladder function in pediatric patients with postoperative neurogenic bladder secondary to tethered cord syndrome . The study population consists of 50 children diagnosed with neurogenic bladder of various etiologies.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
Does EPNS lead to significant improvement in neurogenic bladder symptom scores?
How does EPNS affect secondary clinical outcomes such as renal function, post-void residual volume, urinary leakage, and vesicoureteral reflux?
Researchers will compare clinical indicators before and after the addition of EPNS, on the background of consistent conservative management, to assess its therapeutic contribution.
Participants will:
Receive routine conservative therapy for neurogenic bladder (e.g., medications, bladder training)
Undergo EPNS sessions over a specified treatment period
Be evaluated using standardized scales and imaging or laboratory tests to monitor changes in bladder and renal function
The study will also explore whether treatment effects differ by underlying cause or symptom pattern.
Children aged 3-18 years
Diagnosed with TCS (by spinal MRI) and NLUTD (by urodynamic study)
First-time detethering surgery completed
Be able to comply with acupuncture treatment and follow-up
Severe systemic diseases
Current urinary tract infection, severe VUR, hydronephrosis, structural obstruction
Prior aggressive urological surgery (e.g., augmentation cystoplasty)
Prior or planned pudendal/sacral nerve implant
Shanghai Institute of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Meridian
Lead sponsor
Shanghai Pudong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Collaborator