Work

Bowel management program in patients with anorectal malformations

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives: To establish an effective and practical bowel management protocol to achieve social continence in children operated for anorectal malformations. METHODS: The quasi-experimental study was conducted from January to December 2021 at the Colorectal Clinic of the National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, and comprised patients aged >3 years who had completed surgical management for anorectal malformations. Tailored modifications were made to a one-week bowel management boot camp to adapt to institutional constraints and the practical needs of the patient population. History, examination, abdominal X-ray and incontinence score were recorded before and after the commencement of high-volume saline enemas. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. RESULTS: Of the 80 patients, 46(57.5%) were boys with mean age 6.74±3.24 years and 34(42.5%) were girls with mean age 5.41±1.84 years. Among the boys, rectobulbar fistula was the most common anomaly 26(56.5%), whereas rectovestibular fistula was the most frequent anomaly in girls 20(58.8%). The mean incontinence score at presentation was 5.375±1.72, which improved significantly to 3.637±1.74 following bowel management (p<0.001). For the soiling component, the mean score difference was 1.275±0.45 (p<0.001). Conclusion: Modified bowel management programme was effective in keeping the incontinent and constipated patients after anorectal malformation surgical treatment.

Source: Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association

DOI: 10.47391/jpma.21586

Authors: Batool Fatima, Naima Zamir, Touby Khan, Shazia Parveen, Sana Aslam, Abdul Jabbar Baloch

Institution: National Institute of Child Health

Language: English

Topic: Congenital gastrointestinal and neural anomalies

Subfield: Surgery

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $650