Long-term functional results following resection of neonatal sacrococcygeal teratoma.
OBJECTIVE
Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is the most common congenital neoplasm in neonates. We wished to assess the long-term functional outcome of children undergoing SCT resection.


METHODS
Records of neonates diagnosed with SCT from two surgeons' practices, and operated on between 1970 and 2006, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients/parents who consented to participate in the study received a questionnaire, focusing on fecal and urinary continence, constipation and lower extremity weakness.


RESULTS
Forty-six patients were identified. Four had died (3 from malignant tumors and 1 motor vehicle accident at 18 years). Of the 42 remaining cases, 39 were benign and 3 were malignant; 2 of the former developed malignant recurrences. Twenty-seven agreed to participate and 14 (52%) completed the questionnaire. Median age of respondents was 16.7 years (3-29), and none of the respondents had a recurrent tumor. Thirteen of the 14 respondents experienced no problem with urinary or fecal incontinence, or lower extremity weakness. The remaining patient had all three problems, but his SCT had involved the spinal cord. Of the ten patients who commented on constipation, one had significant constipation, five occasional constipation, and four no constipation.


CONCLUSIONS
Functional results after resection of neonatal SCT are excellent, with only a small number of patients reporting problems with fecal or urinary continence, or lower extremity weakness. Constipation is relatively common. This information is important for counseling families with fetal or neonatal SCT.
Draper
Haley
H
Division of Pediatric General Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. haley.draper@utoronto.ca
Chitayat
David
D
Ein
Sigmund H
SH
Langer
Jacob C
JC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012445:Sacrococcygeal Region; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013724:Teratoma / Q000151:congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult