Skip to main content

Rectal atresia: pathogenesis and operative treatment

Pediatric Surgery International volume 11, pages 559–561 (1996)Cite this article

Abstract

Rectal atresia (RA) with a normal anus is a rare anomaly mostly described as part of a series of anorectal malformations. Most authors believe it to be an acquired lesion with a vascular genesis. One of the arguments quoted is the lack of other congenital anomalies. Several operative procedures are recommended for this lesion. We describe four patients with RA who had other significant congenital anomalies; two other cases were found in the literature. A lack of other congenital anomalies in patients with RA does not seem to be a strong argument for an acquired lesion. All four patients were treated by a posterior sagittal approach with good functional results.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

43,34 €

Price includes VAT (Finland)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  1. Brayton D, Norris WJ (1958) Further experiences with the treatment of imperforate anus. Surg Gynecol Obstet 107: 719–726

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Dorairajan T, Durham Smith E (1988) Anorectal atresia. In: Stephens FD, Smith ED (eds) Anorectal malformations in children: update 1988. Alan R. Liss, New York, pp 105–110

    Google Scholar 

  3. Freeman NV (1966) Congenital atresia and stenosis of the colon. Br J Surg 53: 595–599

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Gauderer MWL, Izant RJ Jr (1984) String placement and progressive dilatations in the management of high membranous rectal atresia. J Pediatr Surg 19: 600–602

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Gomes Dias R, de Santiago PG A, Ferreira MC (1982) Rectal atresia: treatment through a single sacral approach. J Pediatr Surg 17: 424–425

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Halimun EM, Adang QK, Kartono D (1981) Rectal atresia treated by modified Duhamel's procedure. Ann Acad Med 10: 476–478

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Hedlund H, Peña A, Rodriguez G, et al (1992) Long-term anorectal function in imperforate anus treated by a posterior sagittal anorectoplasty: manometric investigation. J Pediatr Surg 27: 906–909

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Jacobs JJD (1980) Atresia of the rectum. South Afr J Surg 18: 39–41

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Kiesewetter WB, Turner CR, Sieber WK (1964) Imperforate anus; review of a sixteen year experience with 146 patients. Am J Surg 107: 412–421

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Lambrecht W, Riebel T, Weinland G (1986) Gefäßversorgung des Rektums bei Analatresien; angiographische Untersuchungen bei neugeborenen Ferkeln. Z Kinderchir 41: 340–343

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Magnus RV (1968) Rectal atresia as distinguisted from rectal agenesis. J Pediatr Surg 3: 593–598

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Nixon HH (1961) Imperforate anus. In: Br Surg Progr. Butterworth, London, pp 1–29

    Google Scholar 

  13. Partridge JP, Gough MH (1961) Congenital abnormalities of the anus and rectum. Br J Surg 49: 37–51

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Peña A (1988) Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty: results in the management of 332 cases of anorectal malformations. Pediatr Surg Int 3: 94–104

    Google Scholar 

  15. Peña A, DeVries PA (1982) Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty: important technical considerations and new applications. J Pediatr Surg 17: 796–811

    PubMed  Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Rehbein F (1976) Die anorectalen Anomalien, membranösen Verschluß im unteren Rektum in kinderchirurgischen Operationen. Hippokrates, Stuttgart, pp 435–438

    Google Scholar 

  17. Rintala R, Lindahl H, Louhimo I (1991) Anorectal malformations — results of treatment and long-term follow-up in 208 patients. Pediatr Surg Int 6: 36–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Santulli TV, Schullinger JN, Amoury RA (1965) Malformations of the anus and rectum. Surg Clin North Am 45: 1253–1271

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Snyder WH Jr (1961) Imperforate anus. Am J Surg 101: 633–641

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Stephens FD, Smith ED (1988) Anorectal malformations in children: update 1988. Alan R Liss, New York, p 84

    Google Scholar 

  21. Stone HH, Wilkinson AW (1983) Experimental production of rectal stenosis and atresia in the rabbit. J Pediatr Surg 18: 89–90

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Trusler GA, Wilkinson RH (1962) Imperforate anus: a review of 147 cases. Can J Surg 5: 269–277

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Upadhyaya P (1977) Intraluminal anastomosis: a new approach to the surgical treatment of rectal atresia. Z Kinderchir 24: 178–183

    Google Scholar 

  24. Upadhyaya P (1990) Rectal atresia: transanal, end-to-end, rectorectal anastomosis: a simplified, rational approach to management. J Pediatr Surg 25: 535–537

    PubMed  Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Yagi M, Iwafuchi M, Uchiyama M, et al (1995) Rectal membranous atresia: sutureless endoscopic repair. Pediatr Surg Int 10: 56–57

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, P. O. Box 9101, NL-6500, HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    C. Festen

Authors
  1. C. Festen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. S. V. M. Severijnen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. F. H. J. van der Staak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. P. N. M. A. Rien
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Festen, C., Severijnen, R.S.V.M., van der Staak, F.H.J. et al. Rectal atresia: pathogenesis and operative treatment. Pediatr Surg Int 11, 559–561 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00626066

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00626066

Key words

  • Rectal atresia
  • Anorectal malformation
  • Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty