Restoration of Functions in Children after Ano-Rectal Surgery

Operations on congenital anomaly in early childhood frequently cause complications leading to functional disturbances such as faecal incontinence, constipation, and anal stenosis. The age of maximum presentation was within the 6-10 years age bracket, when the children are away from the home environment apparently because of societal embarrassment. Boys and girls are afflicted in equal proportions. Complications form anal agenesis operations accounted for the majority of patients 45 children (54%) while aganglionic megacolon accounted for 39 patients (46%). Treatment in all cases started conservatively with diet manipulations, enema and physiotherapeutic training. However, with non-improvement in faecal soilage, a simple repair involving a narrowing at the ano-rectal junction was carried out. In a follow up period of between 6-12months, 45 children had satisfactory clinical conditions while in 27 children their general condition had improved. Key Words: Complications, Ano-Rectal, Abnormalities, Operation. [Mary Slessor Jnl of Medicine Vol.3(1) 2003: 86-89