Anorectal malformations associated with esophageal atresia in neonates

Characteristics of Anorectal Malformations in Children at the United States-Mexico Border: A 3-Year Study

BACKGROUND

Anorectal malformations (ARMs) are a group of congenital malformations affecting the lower gastrointestinal, urogenital, and/or gynecological systems. They occur in approximately 1 in 5000 live births, with a slight male predominance. ARMs can appear in isolation or in association with other anomalies. The literature contains little information about the characteristics of ARMs in United States Hispanic populations.

METHODS

An institutional review board-approved chart review was conducted in all patients with ARMs seen at a single institution in El Paso, Texas, from January 2012 to December 2015. Data regarding demographics, types of ARMs, associated syndromes, and long-term complications were recorded using the Krickenbeck classification system.

RESULTS

Of the 37 patients included in the study, 20 were boys and 17 were girls. The most common ARMs were rectoperineal fistula (46%), rectourethral fistula, and cloacal malformation. Constipation was the most common long-term complication, especially in patients with recto-perineal fistula.

CONCLUSION

Children in the Borderland community may have a higher percentage of recto-perineal fistula than previously reported. Postoperative complications in Hispanic children with ARM were comparable to those reported in other populations.

Simultaneous Single-staged Repair of Anorectal Malformation with Tracheoesophageal Fistula: Lessons Learned

Introduction:

Anorectal malformation (ARM) associated esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) spawns special therapeutic propositions. The outcome of these patients banks on numerous factors. We performed this study with an aim to compare the outcome of single-staged simultaneous primary repair of both anomalies versus staged repair of these disorders.

Materials and Methods:

Retrospective review of cases with ARM and associated EA with TEF managed over a period of 5 years from July 2010 to June 2015 after ethical approval was undertaken. Patients were split into two groups based on whether they underwent staged repair (Group A) or single-staged simultaneous primary repair of ARM with TEF (Group B). Patient's records were analyzed for demography, weight, gestational age, associated anomaly, preoperative and postoperative sepsis screen results, early and late postoperative complications (at least up to 1 year of age). Patient's Kelly score for continence at the age of 3 years or more was compared.

Observation:

A total of 28 were included in the study. Among these, 17 were managed with staged procedure for ARM (Group A), whereas 11 underwent simultaneous single-stage repair of ARM with TEF (Group B). No difference in continence score was observed in outcome between the two groups (P = 0.96). Overall mortality in Group A at 1-year follow-up was 52.9% and in Group B was 43.4%.

Conclusion:

The simultaneous single-staged primary repairs result in better long-term outcome in our setup.

Congenital heart defects in newborns with apparently isolated single gastrointestinal malformation: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Congenital gastrointestinal system malformations/abdominal wall defects (GISM) may appear as isolated defects (single or complex), or in association with multiple malformations. The high incidence of association of GISM and congenital heart defects (CHD) in patients with syndromes and malformative sequences is known, but less expected is the association of apparently isolated single GISM and CHD. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of CHD in newborns with isolated GISM, and the possibility to modify the diagnostic-therapeutic approach just before the onset of cardiac symptoms or complications.

METHODS

Anamnestic, clinical, and imaging data of newborns requiring abdominal surgery for GISM, between 2009 and 2014, were compared with a control group of healthy newborns. Distribution of GISM and cardiovascular abnormalities were analyzed, and risk factors for adverse outcomes were identified.

RESULTS

Seventy-one newborns with isolated GISM were included in this study. More frequent GISM were intestinal rotation and fixation disorders. CHD were observed in 15.5% of patients, augmenting their risk for morbidity. Risk factors for morbidity related to sepsis were identified in central venous catheter, intestinal stoma, and H2-inhibitor-drugs. Moreover, 28.2% of newborns presented only functional cardiac disorders but an unexpectedly higher mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The high incidence of congenital heart disease in infants with apparently isolated GISM confirms the need to perform an echocardiographic study before surgery to improve perioperative management and prevent complications such as sepsis and endocarditis.

Esophageal atresia in patients with anorectal malformations

PURPOSE

The presence of esophageal atresia (EA) in patients with an anorectal malformation (ARM) is well known. The purpose of this work is to find out the most common type of ARM associated to EA and the functional prognostic implication of this association, which has not been described in previous publications.

METHODS

We reviewed our database for demographic, functional, and associated anomalies data in our patients with EA and ARM, and then compared them with those of our general series of ARM without esophageal atresia.

RESULTS

Out of 1,995 ARM patients, 167 had a concomitant EA (8.3 %). Prostatic fistula was the most common type of defect in the male EA patients (45.9 %) and cloacas were on the female group (57.9 %). EA patients had worse bowel (47 vs. 67 %) and urinary control (56.6 vs. 79.4 %) when compared to the general series (GS). Functional prognosis was significantly worse in cloacas and in patients subjected to re-operations (p < 0.001). EA patients had a 0.52 average sacral ratio and in the GS was 0.65 (p < 0.001). EA patients had a significantly higher incidence of tethered cord (32.3 vs. 17.6 %), cardiac anomalies (32.3 vs. 22.5 %) including VSD (12.5 vs. 4.5 %), hydronephrosis (36.5 vs. 15.4 %), absent kidney (26.3 vs. 10.5 %), duodenal atresia (7.7 vs. 1.7 %), vertebral anomalies (28.1 vs. 14 %), extremity defects (11.3 vs. 3.1 %), tracheal anomalies (6.5 vs. 0.4 %), and developmental delay (5.9 vs. 1.4 %).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of esophageal atresia in ARM patients has a significant, probably coincidental, impact on bowel and urinary control. This association is also related with worse types of ARM defects and with more severe associated anomalies. This association should increase the awareness on the provider in terms of what to expect on functional prognosis and a throughout search for associated anomalies.