Prospective Evaluation of Transanal Irrigation With a Validated Pediatric Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction Scoring System

To evaluate the efficacy of transanal irrigation (TAI) in pediatric patients with neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) who were treatment naïve to catheter-based TAI using Peristeen device (Coloplast).

Prospective recruitment of patients with NBD who were unsatisfied with their bowel regimen or had no bowel regimen in place, were assessed using the neurogenic bowel dysfunction score (NBDS) before initiating treatment (Time 0) with Peristeen. NBDS scores were reassessed twice: within the first 6 months (Time 1) of initiation of Peristeen and again after greater than 6 months of usage with Peristeen (Time 2).

Over a 26-month period, 104 patients with NBD were enrolled. Mean age was 10.6 years ± 4.7 (range 3-18 years). The NBDS at Time 1 had an average reduction of 14 points from the original score. A similar trajectory was seen at Time 2, with an average reduction of 13 points from original score. There was a statistically significant decrease of 14 points, P < 0.001 at Time 1 and this response was sustained at Time 2 with a statistically significant decrease in scores from initiation by 13 points, P < 0.001. Improved patient satisfaction and quality of life with Peristeen was seen at Time 1 and Time 2.

Our results suggest that Peristeen can improve quality of life in pediatric patients with NBD. Significant improvement in NBDS occurred in our pediatric patients with NBD when initiated on Peristeen. Lower scores were seen at both Time 1 and Time 2, which indicated an improvement in their overall NBD.