Application of anchoring stitch prevents rectal prolapse in laparoscopic assisted anorectal pullthrough

Background: Rectal prolapse has been reported after laparoscopic assisted anorectal pullthrough in children with anorectal malformation. We report our clinical outcome and study the application of an anchoring stitch to tack the rectum to the presacral fascia and the occurrence of rectal prolapse. Material and methods: A retrospective review of all children who had undergone laparoscopic assisted anorectal pullthrough for anorectal malformation from 2000 to 2015 was performed. Patients were divided into two groups (group I: with anchoring stitch, group II: without anchoring stitch). Outcome measures including rectal prolapse, soiling, voluntary bowel control, and constipation, and Kelly Score were analyzed. Results: There were thirty-four patients (group I, n = 20; group II, n = 14) undergoing laparoscopic assisted anorectal pullthrough during the study period. The median follow up duration for group I and group II was 60 months and 168 months, respectively. All patients had stoma performed prior to the operation. Both groups consisted of patients with high type (30% vs 57%, p = 0.12) and intermediate type (70% vs 43%, p = 0.12) anorectal malformation. Seven (35%) patients in group I and 3 (21%) in group II had concomitant vertebral and spinal cord pathologies (p = 0.408). The mean operative time was significantly shorter in group I (193 +/- 63 min vs 242 +/- 49 min, p = 0.048). Rectal prolapse occurred less in group I, 4 (20%) vs 9 (64%) patients in group II and was statistically significant (p = 0.008). Median time to development of rectal prolapse was 7 months in group I and 5 months in group II (p = 0.767). Mucosectomy was performed in 15% of group I and 36% of group II (p = 0.171). Soiling occurred less in group I (55% vs 79%, p = 0.167). Voluntary bowel control (85% vs 93%, p = 0.499) and constipation (55% vs 64%, p = 0.601) were comparable in both groups. 75% in group I and 71% in group II achieved a Kelly score of 5 or above (p = 0.823). Conclusions: Our study showed application of anchoring stitch reduces rectal prolapse and soiling in laparoscopic assisted anorectal pullthrough. Treatment Study-Level III. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.