Anorectal malformations: a 6-years review at the University Clinics of Lubumbashi

• Published in: The Pan African medical journal 2021-01, Vol.38, p.64
• Main Authors: Kasanga, Trésor Kibangula, Mujinga, Didier Tshibangu, Zeng, Florent Tshibwid, Banza, Manix Ilunga, Mukakala, Augustin Kibonge, Musapudi, Eric Mbuya, Mwamba, François Katshitsthi, Katambwa, Prince Muteba, Nafatalewa, Dimitri Kanyanda, Ngoie, Christelle Ngoie, Cabala, Vincent De Paul Kaoma, Kapessa, Nathalie Dinganga, Mbuyi-Musanzayi, Sébastien
• Format: Article
• Language: fre
• Subjects: Anorectal Malformations - complications; Anorectal Malformations - diagnosis; Anorectal Malformations - surgery; Cross-Sectional Studies; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Fecal Incontinence - epidemiology; Fecal Incontinence - etiology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Intestinal Atresia - diagnosis; Intestinal Atresia - epidemiology; Intestinal Obstruction - epidemiology; Intestinal Obstruction - etiology; Male; Prospective Studies
• ISSN: 1937-8688
• DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2021.38.64.22768

Anorectal malformations (ARM) are developmental anomalies of the genitor anal elements, they represent a wide range of anomalies. An early diagnosis allows a better management as it reduces mortality associated with ARM, especially in developing countries. A prospective cross-sectional study has been carried, including patients from 0 to one year, admitted in our service for ARM. Twenty-four (24) patients have been considered. The median age was 2 days, the sex ratio 1/3 for female. Intestinal occlusions were the most frequent circumstances of diagnosis (50%), low ARMs were the most frequent, diagnosed in 11 patients (45.7%) of which 10 did not have any fistula. The most common associated malformation was intestinal atresia (3 patients). Anoplasty was done using abdominoperineal pull-through associated to anal dilatations in 13 patients (54.1%). Six patients died from unknown etiology and 6 were lost from the follow-up. Concerning the functional outcome, 12 of the 24 patients concerned by the study attended review and 3 of them presented signs of fecal incontinence, 9 of them were continents among whom 8 were diagnosed low ARM and one with high ARM. ARMs are encountered in our environment, nonetheless, the diagnosis is still made most of the time, during an intestinal occlusion. The mortality rate is still high and measures should be taken to allow long-term reviews, which will surely reduce the number of lost patients.