RECTOURETHRAL FISTULAS IN BOYS: ANATOMICAL AND TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES, CLINICAL COURSE AND DIAGNOSTIC CHALLENGES
Keywords:
anorectal malformations, rectourethral fistula, rectal atresia, diagnosis, pediatric surgery.Abstract
Anorectal malformations are among the most complex congenital anomalies encountered in pediatric surgery, with some of their forms being associated with significant diagnostic and surgical difficulties. Rectourethral fistulas occurring in boys represent one of the most clinically challenging variants of anorectal malformations. This pathology is often combined with rectal atresia and, in many cases, is not fully diagnosed during the neonatal period. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of rectourethral fistulas in boys, to analyze their clinical and anatomical characteristics, diagnostic challenges, and their association with concomitant congenital malformations. The study was conducted based on clinical data from patients treated for anorectal malformations between 2009 and 2019. According to the results obtained, rectourethral fistulas accounted for 20.7% of anorectal malformations, concomitant congenital malformations were identified in 73.1% of patients, and incorrect initial diagnoses were recorded in 78.8% of cases. The findings demonstrated the importance of comprehensive instrumental diagnostic methods in the detection of rectourethral fistulas and confirmed that incorrect initial diagnosis increases the risk of surgical complications.
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