Surgical management of traumatic perineal injury in female children: A report of two cases

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Perineal trauma is uncommon in paediatric population,accounting for about 0.2 to 8 % of all paediatric trauma. The goal of surgical management is to ensure adequate anatomical reconstruction with good functional outcome and cosmesis. A novel surgical technique derived from posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP)was recently described for reconstruction of perineal injuries due to sexual assault in children. We report our experience with the utilization of this technique for perineal reconstruction in 2 girls with fourth-degree traumatic genito-anal injury. CASE PRESENTATION: The first patient is a 6 year old girl who presented 2 months post perineal injury following a fall.Previous multiple attempts at repair in peripheral hospital failed.She had Initial debridement,wound irrigation and divided sigmoid colostomy for stool diversion done.Definitive reconstruction was performed 5 months later.The second patient is a 14 year old girl that presented 6 days following perineal trauma sustained while riding a bicycle.Primary repair was also attempted before referral,with subsequent wound breakdown.Wound debridement and colostomy creation was done and surgical reconstruction carried out 6 months later.Following definitive repair,the colostomies in both patients were closed at 2 and 3 months respectively.Both patients are fully continent of stool and have excellent cosmetic outcome during postoperative follow up. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The surgical technique allows for effective dissection and proper reconstruction of the perineal body and anorectal sphincters.It also avoids unnecessary dissection and tissue disruption as the intact posterior rectal wall and anal sphincters are left undisturbed. CONCLUSION: The Surgical technique derived from the principles of posterior sagittal anorectoplasty gives excellent functional outcome in perineal trauma.