Management of anorectal malformation: Changing trend over two decades in Zaria, Nigeria

Background: Anorectal malformation is a common congenital defect and its management has evolved over the years. This is a review of the trend in the management of this condition in a major paediatric surgical centre in Nigeria over two decades.Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 295 patients with anorectal malformations managed from January 1988 to December 2007 was carried out. Results: There were 188 boys and 107 girls aged 1 day–9 years (median 8 years) at presentation. There were 73 (54.5%) and 106 (65.8%) emergency operations in groups A and B, respectively. There were 61 (45.5%) and 55 (34.2%) elective operations in groups A and B,respectively. Regarding treatment, in group A, patients requiring colostomy had transverse loop colostomy, while in group B, sigmoid (usually divided) colostomy was preferred. The definitive surgery done during the twoperiods were: group A: cutback anoplasty 29 (47.5%), anal transplant 5 (8.2%), sacroabdominoperineal pullthrough (Stephen’s operation) 6 (9.5%) and others 21 (34.4%). In group B, posterior sagittal  anorectoplasty (PSARP) 46 (83.7%), anal transplant 1 (1.8%), posteriorsagittal anorectovaginourethroplasty (PSARVUP) 2 (3.6%) and anal dilatation 6 (10.9%) were done. Early colostomy-related complication rates were similar in the two groups (P > 0.05). The overall late complication rate was 65.5% in group A and 16.4% in group B (P < 0.05). The mortality was 25 (18.6%) in group A compared to 17 (10.6%) in group B (P < 0.05). Conclusion: There have been significant changes in the management ofanorectal malformations in this centre in the last two decades, resulting in improved outcomes