Evaluation of long-term functional outcomes after surgical treatment of anorectal malformations.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term functional outcome in children with anorectal malformations and to correlate them with the type of malformation


METHODS
The medical files of children treated for anorectal malformation from 1996 to 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included age, gender, type of ARM, associated malformations, type of initial approach, definitive operation, and post-operative management. A multivariate scoring method for fecal continence has been used for evaluation of functional outcome score.


RESULTS
Thirty one patients were initially included in the study. Twenty eight of them were evaluated for long-term functional outcomes (mean age 7.25 ± 0.52 years, males 7.96 ± 0.68 years, female 6.46 ± 0.76 years). The mean functional outcome score of all patients was significantly lower compared to that of sex- and age-matched healthy controls (13.92 ± 0.59 to 19.76 ± 0.08, p < 0.0001). No statistical significance was found between the mean functional outcome and the patients' age, gender, or associated anomaly.


CONCLUSIONS
The functional outcome score can be considered as an index of management of defecation disorders in children with anorectal malformation. The long-term functional outcome in children with anorectal malformations is significantly lower than normal controls. Regular follow-ups are required in order to offer them a socially accepted day life.
Second Department of Pediatric Surgery, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Medical School, Papageorgiou University General Hospital, Ring Road Nea Efkarpia, 56403 Thessaloniki, Greece. xkaselas@otenet.gr
Christos
C
Kaselas
Antonios
A
Philippopoulos
Anastasios
A
Petropoulos
D000071056:Anorectal Malformations; D001006:Anus, Imperforate / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004106:Dilatation; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome