Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026

Murine Ileocolic Bowel Resection with Primary Anastomosis
Published on: October 29, 2014
Bowel imbrication in the management of anorectal anomalies
P A Dewan1, E Elsworthy, M Mathew
1Department of Surgery, Sunshine Hospital, 3021 St. Albans, Victoria, Australia. paddy.dewan@wh.org.au
Insights
Longitudinal imbrication successfully managed constipation in children with dilated rectosigmoid colon after anorectal anomaly surgery. This surgical technique improved bowel motions with minimal medication and short hospital stays.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Colorectal Surgery
Background:
- Constipation is a common issue in patients with anorectal anomalies.
- Significant rectosigmoid dilation can complicate management.
- Previous surgical interventions may require revision.
Observation:
- Four patients with anorectal anomalies and severe constipation underwent longitudinal imbrication of the rectosigmoid colon.
- Three patients had primary anorectal anomalies with rectosigmoid dilation.
- One patient with a cloacal anomaly and colonic atresia required small bowel reconstruction and subsequent imbrication for ectasia and diarrhea.
Findings:
- Longitudinal imbrication of the dilated rectosigmoid segment effectively treated constipation in these patients.
- One patient with small bowel ectasia also showed improvement after distal bowel imbrication.
- All patients achieved near-normal bowel movements with minimal medication post-procedure.
Implications:
- Longitudinal imbrication is a viable surgical option for selected patients with residual rectosigmoid dilation and constipation post-anorectal anomaly repair.
- This technique offers a minimally invasive approach with favorable outcomes, including short hospital stays.
- Careful patient selection is crucial for successful management of complex anorectal anomalies.
Abstract:
Four patients who had imbrication of their proximal rectum and distal sigmoid colon as part of the management of constipation following an anorectoplasty for an anorectal anomaly. Three children with an anorectal anomaly presented with constipation and marked dilation of the rectosigmoid portion of the large bowel; each had longitudinal imbrication of the dilated segment, via a left iliac fossa incision. The forth was born with a cloacal anomaly with associated colonic atresia. The small bowel was used to construct the anorectum following a redo anorectoplasty. Subsequently, the small bowel became ectatic, resulting in the patient developing persistent watery diarrhoea and severe perianal excoriation, which was managed with a 30 cm longitudinal imbrication of the distal bowel during an extensive laparotomy. All 4 have patients now have near normal bowel motions with minimal medication, after only a short hospital stay. Residual problematic dilatation of the rectosigmoid colon in patients with a high anorectal anomaly, in the presence of constipation, can be successfully managed by imbrication of the dilated segment, if carefully selected.
More Related Videos
12:45Robot-assisted Total Mesorectal Excision and Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection for Locally Advanced Middle-low Rectal Cancer
Published on: February 12, 2022
08:26Clinical Application of Single-Surgeon, Three-Port, Laparoscopic Resection for Colorectal Cancer with Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction
Published on: March 24, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction