Anal Dimple Research Articles

Minimal Access Surgery in the Neonate

After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Review physiologic, anatomic, and technical issues related to minimal access surgery in the neonate. 2. Describe conditions in which minimal access surgery can be used in neonates. Historically, pediatric surgeons were slow to adapt to minimal access surgery (MAS) techniques compared with the adult surgical community. However, MAS now is widely established in infants and children. Differences in size and physiology have necessitated a number of surgical and technological modifications to apply MAS techniques to this population. This review outlines the important differences between children and adults with respect to MAS and provides examples of the use of MAS for diseases seen in infants. ### Physiologic Issues The physiologic response to pneumoperitoneum in children is more pronounced than in adults. Peritoneal insufflation with carbon dioxide has been shown to cause hypercarbia, acidemia, and decreased oxygenation in the pediatric piglet model. (1) In infants, however, there is no detrimental effect on blood pressure, heart rate, or oxygen saturation during short periods of pneumoperitoneum, and elevations in end-tidal CO2 can be counteracted readily by increasing the minute ventilation. (2) Hypercarbia-induced pneumoperitoneum in infants is associated with changes in cerebral blood flow and cardiac output. Nevertheless, laparoscopic procedures have been performed safely with proper anesthetic management in children who have even severe congenital cardiac abnormalities such as hypoplastic left heart syndrome. (3) Hypothermia also can be a concern due to rapid insufflation of unwarmed CO2 gas, mandating the moderation of flow rates. (4) ### Anatomic Issues A number of anatomic factors set children apart from adults and must be accounted for when performing laparoscopic surgery in this age group. Young children and infants have thinner abdominal walls than adults, so extreme care must be exercised when placing trocars. Due to the small size of the abdomen, the working …

Transanal endoscopic-assisted proctoplasty—a novel surgical approach for individual management of patients with imperforate anus without fistula

Background/Aim Imperforate anus without fistula consists of a spectrum of defects with variable distance between the rectal pouch and the perineum. We have developed a novel surgical approach for individual management of these patients based on precise knowledge of the level of the anomaly. Methods All consecutive patients with imperforate anus without fistula between 2002 and 2004 had sigmoidostomy performed after having failed to pass meconium in the first 24 hours. The upper pouch was intraluminally visualized using retrograde endoscopy through the sigmoid mucous fistula. The distal termination of the rectum was clearly identified as by convergence of the anal columns. Bright translumination of the endoscope light from the rectum to the anal dimple within the external sphincter indicated a low malformation amenable to transanal proctoplasty. The rectum was incised from below under endoscopic visual control. Poor translumination indicated a higher defect, in which case, the operation was converted to standard posterior sagittal anorectoplasty. Results Seven patients (6 boys) were identified. Four patients (3 boys) completed transanal endoscopic-assisted proctoplasty. In all cases, the convergence of anal columns indicating rectal termination was right above the anal pit at the site of the maximal external sphincter squeeze. In 3 patients, the operation was converted to posterior sagittal anorectoplasty after verification of a higher anomaly by endoscopy. There were no operative complications. The median follow-up was 3 months (range, 1-26 months). All patients have an appropriate size anus and regular bowel actions. Conclusions Transanal endoscopic-assisted proctoplasty allows safe and anatomical reconstruction of the anorectum, as well as contemporaneous closure of the sigmoidostomy in a significant proportion of patients with imperforate anus without fistula, avoiding the potential complications associated with the open posterior sagittal approach.

Lumbosacral parasitic rachipagus twin

A rare case of a newborn girl presenting with a mass representing an aborted parasitic twin attached to the back in the midline over the lumbosacral region (parasitic rachipagus) is reported. Rudimentary digits were attached to the mass, and in one area, the overlying skin resembled scrotal skin. A depression resembling an anal dimple was also present on the surface of the mass. Investigations showed a well-developed long bone and other small bones within the parasite, and sacral spina bifida in the autosite. Successful surgical excision of the parasitic mass was performed. A review of the literature pertaining to parasitic rachipagus twinning is presented.

Laparoscopically assisted anorectal pull-through for high imperforate anus—A new technique

Background/Purpose: This report describes a new technique of laparoscopically assisted anorectal pull-through (LAARP) for repair of high imperforate anus. The procedure utilizes minimal perineal dissection, preservation of the distal rectum, and accurate placement of the rectum within the levator ani and external anal sphincter muscle complex. Methods: Sharp dissection and cautery was used laparoscopically to expose the rectal pouch down to the urethral or vaginal fistula, which was clipped distally and divided. The pelvic floor musculature was then assessed and the levator sling identified. Externally, electrostimulation was used to define the center of the anal dimple. An 8-mm skin incision was made, centered at the strongest cephalad contraction. Using a hemostat, minimal blunt dissection on the perineum was guided by transillumination from the laparoscopic light source. A trocar, consisting of a radially expandable sheath over a Varess needle, was passed through this defined plane in the external sphincter muscle complex and advanced into the pelvis between the 2 bellies of the pubococcygeus muscle, guided by laparoscopic visualization. This perineal trocar therefore formed a passage through the center of the striated muscle complex and levators. The rectal fistula, which had been dissected out laparoscopically, was grasped using the perineal trocar and exteriorized to the perineum. Anorectal anastomosis was performed with absorbable interrupted suture. Results: Seven patients were treated with initial colostomy in the newborn period followed by delayed LAARP 2 to 12 months later. In 4 newborn infants, the LAARP was performed as a primary procedure without prior colostomy. Laparoscopic mobilization has been possible on all cases attempted. All of the patients have a brisk and symmetric anal contraction with perineal electrostimulation. Conclusions: Lack of long-term follow-up precludes accurate assessment of the potential for fecal continence. However, short-term experience has been that this new method of pull-through for imperforate anus offers many advantages, including excellent visualization of the rectal fistula and surrounding structures, accurate placement of the bowel through the anatomic midline and levator sling, and minimally invasive abdominal and perineal wounds. J Pediatr Surg 35:927-931. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.

Transperineal ultrasonography in imperforate anus: identification of the internal fistula.

The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of transperineal ultrasonography in identifying the internal fistula in cases of imperforate anus. Transperineal ultrasonography was performed in 19 infants (13 neonates and 6 older infants; 13 were male and 6 were female) with imperforate anus to identify the internal fistula. Sagittal plane images were obtained through the anal dimple, and the internal connection of the rectal fistula was traced. The ultrasonographically traced internal fistula was compared with that observed on distal loopography after colostomy or with surgical findings. The internal fistula was identified as a hypoechoic linear tract, containing linear echogenicity in some cases. Of 19 patients, internal fistulas were correctly identified in 16 patients; these were rectourethral (n = 12), rectovaginal (n = 1), rectovestibular (n = 1), rectovesical (n = 1), and rectocloacal (n = 1). In three patients, internal fistulas were incorrectly defined; these cases consisted of rectovestibular (n = 2) and rectovaginal (n = 1) fistulas. Internal fistulas were correctly identified in all of the 13 male patients and in 3 of 6 female patients. Transperineal ultrasonography is an excellent diagnostic modality to define the type of the internal fistula in imperforate anus.

Internal sphincter-saving in imperforate anus with or without fistula. A manometric study.

Manometric assessment was performed in 54 infants with congenital ano-rectal anomalies including those with a blindly ending rectum (6 cases) or with an ectopic bowel outlet either in the perineum (25 cases), vulva (8 cases), vagina (8 cases), urethra (5 cases) or bladder (2 cases). Infants with an externally accessible orifice were investigated preoperatively whereas those with an internal orifice or no orifice could only be evaluated after surgical correction. In all operated cases presented, the ectopic rectal opening was preserved together with its surrounding smooth musculature. It was transplanted ventral to the puborectalis sling into the anal dimple if present. A normal functioning internal sphincter was observed in all infants even after transplantation. Anal resting tone was normal in all cases with mean values in the various subgroups ranging from 32 +/- 10 mmHg to 51 +/- 6 mm Hg. Frequency of anal slow pressure wave activity ranged from 11.6 +/- 1.5/min to 15.7 +/- 1.3/min. The recto-anal inhibitory reflex was present in all cases. The term fistula should be reserved for morphologically and physiologically abnormal microscopic communications. Failure to appreciate the presence of a normal internal sphincter may account for poor functional results after surgery. The results demonstrate the importance of preserving the internal sphincter in surgical correction of anorectal anomalies.

Abdomino-Extended Sacroperineal Approach in High-Type Anorectal Malformation - and a New Operative Method

From 1971 onwards we have been examining the anatomy and histology of sphincter components in patients with several anorectal malformation who died of associated anomalies. These histological studies demonstrated that not only puborectal muscle but also the superficial and deep external sphincters exist, even in the high type anomalies, and that the mass of external sphincter is located above the anal dimple. Moreover, the inner circular muscle of rectum is thickened at the level of the closest part of the fistula. Based on our histological studies, we devised our new operation to use all the sphincter musculature effectively for the newly reconstructed anal canal. Our new surgical procedure is clearly different from Kiesewetter-Rehbein's method in that the puborectal muscle is penetrated from the outside of rectal wall and might be damaged, since puborectal muscle is attached to the blind pouch of rectum. Moreover, the puborectal muscle and the external sphincters can be easily identified by electrical stimulation under direct vision from extended sacroperineal approach. And the colon can be pulled exactly through the centre of the external sphincters and puborectal muscle under direct vision without causing any damage to these important sphincters, unlike Pena's operation.

Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty: Important technical considerations and new applications

Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) is a new technique for the repair of high anorectal malformations. It is based upon complete exposure of the anorectal region by means of a median sagittal incision that runs from the sacrum to the anal dimple, cutting through all muscle structures behind the rectum. It was learned through this procedure that the external sphincter is a functionally useful prominent structure. No puborectalis sling, as such, could be identified. It was possible, however, to recognize a muscle continuity from the skin to the sacral insertion of the levator ani. Since it is impossible to pull the generally ectatic rectum through without destroying the muscle structures present, the rectum must be tapered to allow suturing the muscle behind it. In all these anomalies, the rectum and urethra (or vagina) are very closely joined, sharing a common wall, and their separation calls for extensive exposure. A number of technical details clarified in the course of applying the procedure in 54 patients are fully discussed. This approach also proved to be very successful in the management of two patients with rectocloacal fistula, two with rectal atresia and two with stenosis. Colostomy has been closed in 27 patients and fecal continence may be described as excellent, except in those patients with severe sacral anomalies, and unquestionably superior to that obtained by us with other techniques.

Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty

From October 1980 to November 1981, 34 patients with anorectal anomalies have been operated upon by a sagittal midline approach. The skin incision extends from the sacrum to the perineum (ventral aspect of the anal dimple). The superficial and deep layers of the external sphincter are identified by electrostimulation and split, with the coccyx, in the midline. Ileo- and pubococcygeal portions of the levator dorsally and then the striated muscle complex of the external sphinctor, pubococcygeus and the presumed puborectalis are split ventrally to the urethra. In no cases has the ventral portion of the levators been separated from the thick ventral portion of the external sphincter, hence the term "striated muscle complex." When the terminal bowel is dilated (congenitally ectatic), the bowel is tailored prior to reconstruction of the sphinctors. The posterior sagittal approach provides an excellent exposure for evaluation and mobilization of the terminal bowel. It enables one to construct an anal canal, suture the bowel wall to the striated musculature and the mucosa to the skin, thereby reducing or avoiding the complications of prolapse and stenosis. In males with ectasia and a rectourethral fistula, transrectal closure of the mucosa at the fistula site, leaving the rectal longitudinal smooth muscle insertions on the prostatic capsule, avoids damage to the nerves and genital structures.

UNILATERAL RENAL AGENESIS ASSOCIATED WITH A RECTO-URETHRAL FISTULA: THE ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIMEN

SUMMARY 1. A description of a male specimen with left renal agenesis and a recto-urethral fistula is given. 2. The right kidney measured 13-1 cm. in length. The superior two-thirds of the kidney lay against the posterior abdominal wall, the inferior one-third in the iliac fossa. 3. The ureter was large throughout its length, the lumen decreased considerably in diameter until it was almost pinpoint in size as it entered the bladder. 4. The walls of the bladder were thick and the trigone incomplete. The ureteral extremity and orifice were absent on the left side as well as that half of the torus uretericus. 5. The suprarenal glands were present on both sides. 6. The rectum entered the membranous part of the urethra. 7. There was puckering of the anal skin with the rectum at a considerable distance from the anus. 8. There was puckering of the skin around the anal dimple which lay at a considerable distance from the rectum.