CCPR

Rethinking Routine Kidney Ultrasounds in Children With Mild Anorectal Malformations
Rethinking Routine Kidney Ultrasounds in Children With Mild Anorectal Malformations 1024 683 Lauren Dembeck
Molly Fuchs, MD

  Annual scans rarely identify new kidney concerns in symptom-free children. Children born with anorectal malformations (ARMs), a group of congenital conditions affecting the anus and rectum, are routinely screened for kidney abnormalities because of the association between ARM and urinary tract anomalies. The likelihood of urologic complications  increases with the complexity of the malformation.…

Outcomes of Colonic Pull-Through for Patients With Cloacal Exstrophy: Is it Really Helping Kids?
Outcomes of Colonic Pull-Through for Patients With Cloacal Exstrophy: Is it Really Helping Kids? 1024 683 Mary Bates, PhD

Collaborative study reveals infrequent utilization of the procedure and identifies factors correlated with success. Cloacal exstrophy is a rare grouping of congenital anorectal malformations. Although once nearly uniformly fatal, survival has increased significantly, and with it, the focus on long-term outcomes. In the last 15 years, a reconstructive surgery known as colonic pull-through has been…

Straightforward Stitch Technique Dramatically Reduces Post-Operative Anorectoplasty Complications
Straightforward Stitch Technique Dramatically Reduces Post-Operative Anorectoplasty Complications 150 150 Katie Brind'Amour, PhD, MS, CHES

The novel para-U-stitch keeps post-operative wound dehiscence to a minimum, helping patients with anorectal malformations avoid readmission, reoperation and infection. After recognizing a pattern of wound dehiscence and postoperative complications in patients with anorectal malformations (ARMs) repaired without a colostomy bag — meaning they stool directly through the surgical site as it heals — surgeons…

Study Shows 1 in 4 Girls Born With Anorectal Malformations Have Co-occurring Gynecologic Anomalies
Study Shows 1 in 4 Girls Born With Anorectal Malformations Have Co-occurring Gynecologic Anomalies 1024 575 Jessica Nye, PhD

Gynecological anomalies are common among girls with anorectal malformations (ARM) with or without associated vertebral, anorectal, cardiovascular, trachea-esophageal, renal and limb (VACTERL) anomalies. One in 5,000 live births have ARM and 20%-70% co-occur with other congenital anomalies, including VACTERL. For girls born with ARM, gynecologic congenital anomalies can occur, especially with more complex ARM. To…