Posterior Sagittal Anorectaplasty in a Female: Pediatric Colorectal...
In absent vagina situations with recto-vestibular fistula, the urethra is characteristically enlarged
clinicalMarc Levitt19:47 ↗
Total body prep from nipples to toes is standard for these patients, allowing flexibility to flip between supine and prone positions
Host summaryTodd Ponsky summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position2:10 ↗
In babies this small, MRI has difficulty delineating uterine and ovarian structures
clinicalMarc Levitt3:21 ↗
Train-of-four box from anesthesia machine is a less expensive alternative to dedicated nerve stimulator for muscle mapping
clinicalMarc Levitt7:47 ↗
Lateral dissection defines the anterior plane in rectal mobilization - first step is to establish clean lateral plane
clinicalMarc Levitt15:16 ↗
In congenital cervical agenesis, there is no evidence that retaining the uterus and connecting to vagina enables successful live births
clinicalDon44:03 ↗
Uterus without cervix has risk of pyometra and ascending infection when connected to outflow tract
clinicalDon44:03 ↗
In surgeon's series of recto-vestibular fistula with no vagina (8 patients), only one had imperforate hymen; none of the others had uterus or fallopian tubes
epidemiologicalDon28:50 ↗
Sigmoid colon pulled down to anus will not function as rectum - lacks same storage qualities and physiologic properties
clinicalDon28:50 ↗
Best time to create neovagina is when rectum has been mobilized; waiting creates scarred perineum making later reconstruction more difficult
opinionMarc Levitt48:12 ↗
Standard neovaginal length in infant is 7-8 centimeters based on normal vaginal length in babies
clinicalMarc Levitt1:05:08 ↗
Surgeon prefers colon over small bowel for neovagina because small bowel mesentery is more tenuous and colon has more robust blood supply
opinionMarc Levitt59:42 ↗
Surgeon does not dilate neovaginas post-operatively, anticipating some patients will need minor revision but avoiding torture of vaginal dilations
opinionMarc Levitt1:09:37 ↗
Six months after breast budding is appropriate timing for pelvic ultrasound and vaginoscopy to assess Müllerian structures and menstrual patency
clinicalMarc Levitt1:09:37 ↗
MRI has limited ability to determine presence of vaginal lumen in very young patients unless there is clear hematocolpos or hydrocolpos
Host summaryMarc Levitt summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position1:22:15 ↗
Neovagina should be tacked to pelvic fascia or posterior bladder to prevent prolapse and ensure it grows with the patient
clinicalMarc Levitt1:08:53 ↗
When fat is visible during rectal dissection, surgeon can safely dissect closer to the bowel wall
clinicalMarc Levitt35:07 ↗
Staple lines should be removed from neovaginal segment rather than left in place
opinionMarc Levitt49:17 ↗
In this patient population, there is thick wall between rectum and urethra in absent vagina situations
clinicalMarc Levitt20:28 ↗
Surgeon would not perform independent examination under anesthesia in straightforward newborn primary anorectal malformation case, but would examine at time of repair
opinionMarc Levitt27:20 ↗
Update Course Rewind: Perineal Body Sparing PSARP 2023
Two variations of perineal body sparing PSARP have been published in the last 6 months, one from Boston and one from Washington DC.
clinicalSteven Lee1:08 ↗
One study has 6 patients and the other has 4 patients.
Host summaryEm Gootee summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position1:17 ↗
The techniques are similar but slightly different.
Host summaryEm Gootee summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position1:20 ↗
The Boston technique involves a slight posterior sagittal extension of the incision.
clinicalSteven Lee1:26 ↗
These techniques aim to spare the perineal body and preserve long-term gynecologic function for female patients.
clinicalSteven Lee1:30 ↗
The perineal body is important for sexual function and obstetric outcomes in the future.
clinicalSteven Lee1:38 ↗
The Washington DC technique uses an incision just through the sphincter alone, preserving the perineal body skin in its entirety.
clinicalSteven Lee1:49 ↗
For patients undergoing dilations who are not diverted, the perineal body seeing stool right away is a setup for post-operative infection.
clinical2:00 ↗
Perineal body sparing techniques can reduce post-operative infection risks in patients undergoing dilations.
Host summaryEm Gootee summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position2:12 ↗
2025 Pediatric Surgery Update Course - Updates in Colorectal: Debunking Dogma
Two 2021 studies (one NISQIP, one PCPLC) showed no difference in wound complications, re-operations, or readmissions between early PSARP (less than 7-14 days) and delayed PSARP (6 weeks to 8 months) for female perineal or recto-vestibular fistulas.
Host summaryJamie Harris summarizing the discussion — not the host's own clinical position5:08 ↗