Rectal and sigmoid atresia: transanal approach

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Gastrointestinal Surgery
• Congenital Anomalies

Background:

• Rectal and low sigmoid atresia are rare congenital conditions requiring surgical intervention.
• Traditional surgical management often involves laparotomy and colostomy, followed by later reconstruction.
• Minimally invasive techniques are increasingly explored for pediatric surgical conditions.

Observation:

• Two infant patients diagnosed with rectal and low sigmoid atresia underwent transanal repair.
• The transanal approach was utilized, drawing parallels with techniques used for Hirschsprung disease.
• Patients had prior exploratory laparotomy and colostomy in the neonatal period.

Findings:

• No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed during a 2-year follow-up period.
• Following colostomy closure, both patients demonstrated normal bowel function without fecal incontinence.
• The transanal approach proved to be a safe and effective surgical option.

Implications:

• The transanal approach represents a viable and potentially less invasive alternative for treating rectal and low sigmoid atresia.
• This technique may reduce the morbidity associated with traditional open surgical methods.
• Further studies with larger cohorts are warranted to confirm the long-term efficacy and benefits of transanal surgery for atresia.