Neurovesical dysfunction in patients with anorectal malformations

The aim of the study is to investigate the incidence of neurovesical dysfunction (NVD) in patients with operated anorectal malformations (ARM) and its relationship with sacral abnormalities. Between September 1992 and April 1994 cystomictiometric and electromyography investigations were performed for 33 patients operated on for anal atresia. The age of these 14 male and 19 female patients ranged between 1-17 years (mean age: 7.7). The level of ARM was supralevator in 10 patients and infralevator in 23 patients. The x-ray of 14 patients showed lumbosacral abnormalities. In urodynamic investigation, NVD was observed in 15 patients (45.4%). 4 of the patients had signs developed secondary to organic subvesical obstruction. The urodynamic results of 14 patients were in the normal range. NVD rate was found to be 70% in patients with supralevator anal atresia, 34.7% in patients with infralevator anal atresia, 64.2% in patients with sacral abnormalities and 31.5% in patients with no sacral abnormality.

NVD incidence increased in patients with supralevator ARM and in patients with sacral abnormalities. However, presence of infralevator abnormality or absence of sacral abnormality does not eliminate NVD. We think that, whenever NVD is suspected in a patient with ARM, urodynamic investigations should be performed as a routine investigation of the urinary tract.