Evaluating the utility of cystoscopy, distal colostography, and sonography for locating the fistula in patients with anorectal malformation: a case series

Anorectal malformations are congenital conditions ranging from a simple perianal fistula to a complex cloacal malformation. Since the precise determination of the location of the fistula is the central pillar in choosing the type of surgery, this study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of three techniques, transperineal ultrasound, distal colostography, and cystoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed on patients with anorectal abnormalities who had undergone decompressive colostomy and were planned for anorectoplasty in the period from September 2017 to March 2019 in a pediatric surgical center. To answer our question, all three mentioned methods were conducted before the surgery and were compared with the intraoperative findings. RESULTS: Sonography, distal colostography, and the second cystoscopy findings were similar to intraoperative conclusions concerning the presence of a fistula in patients, whereas blind cystoscopy had 30% accuracy and similarity. Regarding the type of fistula sonography, distal colostography, and second cystoscopy each had 50, 37.5, and 10 inconsistency with the intraoperative findings. In all cases where a fistula was detected in blind cystoscopy, the location of the fistula was correctly determined by this modality. Data analysis on the pouch to perineum distance measurements obtained from sonography and colostography were significantly different from that of surgery. CONCLUSION: The results of this study emphasize the need to perform several diagnostic modalities to determine the location and type of fistula to improve diagnostic accuracy.