Non-invasive Sacral Nerve Stimulation in Children and Adolescents With Chronic Constipation
Chronic Constipation With Overflow, Encopresis With Constipation and Overflow Incontinence, Hirschprung's Disease
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Chronic Constipation With Overflow focused on measuring Sacral Nerve Stimulation, Neuromodulation
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- age between 2-17 years
- informed consent
- chronic constipation according to the ROME IV criteria for more than 3 months with or without encopresis/soiling
- refractory to conventional treatment in a sufficient application (training for bowel movements, lifestyle changes, pelvic floor training)
- exclusion of metabolic, inflammatory and hormonal causes for chronic constipation (such as e.g., celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, hypothyroidism)
- in cases of underlying Hirschsprung's disease: confirmation of diagnosis via rectal biopsies
- in cases of anorectal malformation: post-surgical status
Exclusion Criteria:
- metabolic, inflammatory and hormonal causes for chronic constipation with further therapeutic options
- toxic megacolon or further emergencies, which must be treated surgically
- fractures or substantial differences in the sacral anatomy
- inflammatory bowel disorders
- rectal prolapse
- neuronal malignancies under medical and radiation therapy
- seizures
Sites / Locations
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Pediatric Surgery
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Other
Non-invasive Neuromodulation
Medical/behavioral Therapy
Application of non-invasive sacral nerve stimulation for 12 weeks, at least 8 hours per day. Two adhesive electrodes are placed paravertebrally between L1 and L4 and periumbilically, generating an electrical field with a 15 Hz frequency for a duration of 210µs. Stimulation intensity is individually determined to achieve an effective and comfortable stimulation beyond the pain threshold (adjustable amplitude between 0-10mA). Medical and behavioral therapy is to be continued as started before intervention.
Patients receive an optimized conventional treatment for 12 weeks, including lifestyle changes, toilet training and weight-adjusted medication. Conventional medical options include oral laxative medication with polyethyleneglycol or rectal medication with saline enemas in possible combination with a stimulant laxative (glycerin or bisacodyl).