Rectal Prolapse Following Repair of Anorectal Malformation: Incidence, Risk Factors, and Management

The incidence and optimal management of rectal prolapse following repair of an anorectal malformation (ARM) has not been well-defined.

A retrospective cohort study was performed utilizing data from the Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Learning Consortium registry. All children with a history of ARM repair were included. Our primary outcome was rectal prolapse. Secondary outcomes included operative management of prolapse and anoplasty stricture following operative management of prolapse. Univariate analyses were performed to identify patient factors associated with our primary and secondary outcomes. A multivariable logistic regression was developed to assess the association between laparoscopic ARM repair and rectal prolapse.

A total of 1140 patients met inclusion criteria; 163 (14.3%) developed rectal prolapse. On univariate analysis, prolapse was significantly associated with male sex, sacral abnormalities, ARM type, ARM complexity, and laparoscopic ARM repairs (p < 0.001). ARM types with the highest rates of prolapse included rectourethral-prostatic fistula (29.2%), rectovesical/bladder neck fistula (28.8%), and cloaca (25.0%). Of those who developed prolapse, 110 (67.5%) underwent operative management. Anoplasty strictures developed in 27 (24.5%) patients after prolapse repair. After controlling for ARM type and hospital, laparoscopic ARM repair was not significantly associated with prolapse (adjusted odds ratio (95% CI): 1.50 (0.84, 2.66), p = 0.17).

Rectal prolapse develops in a significant subset of patients following ARM repair. Risk factors for prolapse include male sex, complex ARM type, and sacral abnormalities. Further research investigating the indications for operative management of prolapse and operative techniques for prolapse repair are needed to define optimal treatment.

Retrospective cohort study.

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