Anorectal function in adults operated for a benign sacrococcygeal teratoma

Fecal continence and quality of life were evaluated by a questionnaire in 26 adult patients (mean age, 30 years; 6 men, 20 women) who had undergone surgery for a benign sacrococcygeal teratoma in infancy. The fecal continence was assessed by a score described by Holschneider. Twenty-six healthy people with a similar age and sex distribution were used as controls. Good fecal continence was reported by 88% of the patients; however, only 27% had completely normal bowel habits. Some fecal soiling was present in 27% of the patients. No correlation between the severity of aberrations in anorectal functions and the degree of intrapelvic extension of the tumor was found. Social problems related to deficient anorectal function were reported by 27% of the patients. Other health problems including urinary incontinence were reported by 50% of the patients. All the controls had good fecal continence; 77% of them had completely normal bowel habits. The present study shows that at the adult age, a significant proportion of patients who have undergone surgery for sacrococcygeal teratoma suffer from deficient anorectal function and a diminished quality of life.