title: Anorectal-vestibular fistula without an imperforate anus in female infants: report of three cases.
abstract: An anorectal-vestibular fistula without an imperforate anus in female infants is a rare clinical condition. This report is based on a series of 3 female infants who had fistulous communication between the bowel and the vestibule coexisting with a normal anus. Redness of the external genitalia over the labia major was the initial symptom in all 3 cases, and a suppurative discharge of pus mixed with stools was also found at the orifice of the fistula. Based on our experience, initial surgery with a double-barrel colostomy followed by a sequential fistulectomy might be safe and curative. We also review the related literature for the pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics; Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Yuan-Shun
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Shih-Ming
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Chih-Cheng
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Chen-Shen
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Chuen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hsueh
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000002:abnormalities*; D003125:Colostomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012006:Rectovaginal Fistula / Q000473:pathology; D012007:Rectum / Q000002:abnormalities*; D014621:Vagina / Q000002:abnormalities