Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
9
pubmed:dateCreated
1994-3-14
pubmed:abstractText
Anal fistulas in infants are poorly understood. A high incidence of recurrence has been attributed to a congenital abnormality of the anal crypts. To verify this hypothesis, we reviewed all anal fistulas seen in children less than 2 years of age and treated between 1980 and 1991. All patients were males with a mean age of 9.5 months, and only 3 had other illnesses. Ninety-two percent have had previous anorectal abscesses. The fistulas were single in 31 patients and double in 5. Their origin in the crypts was clearly identified in 14 cases. When anoscopy was routinely performed, deep thick-walled crypts were found in 47% of the cases. In most instances only one crypt was abnormal. The operative management included fistulotomy in 17 patients and fistulectomy in 9. Cryptotomies besides fistula excision were performed in 9 cases, and concurrent abscess drainage in 6. Follow-up was available in 31 patients for a mean length of 20 months. There were 4 complications (11%): one abscess requiring drainage, one wound infection treated conservatively, one granuloma, and one postoperative laryngitis. No recurrences were observed and none of the patients had fistula-related complaints at the last visit. Anal fistulas in infants are observed exclusively in males and are often related to abnormal crypts. Although 92% of fistulas are preceded by a perianal abscess, only 42% of perianal abscesses will result in fistula formation. Anal fistulas can be treated by either fistulotomy or fistulectomy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Sep
pubmed:issn
0022-3468
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
28
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
1194-5
pubmed:dateRevised
2004-11-17
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1993
pubmed:articleTitle
Anal fistula in infants: etiology, features, management.
pubmed:affiliation
Division of Pediatric General Surgery, Hôpital Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article