Successful operation for imperforate anus and imperforate rectum: Three year follow-up report

A newborn infant, born with complete absence of the anus, sphincter, anal canal and rectum, was successfully operated upon via proctoplasty eighteen hours after birth, bringing down the sigmoid colon to serve as the new anal canal and rectum. The boy is now three years old and normal in every other respect. The formation of scar in the new anal canal, together with more progressive use of the gluteus maximus muscles, has effectuated very good control of bowel movements. The author has proctoscoped the boy several times during the past year, never finding evidence of the rectal valves, or so-called folds of Houston. This, together with the appearance of the intestinal anatomy at the time of operation, is the basis for the author's conviction that it is not the rectum, but rather the sigmoid colon, which is now functioning as an anal canal and rectum.