Spectrum of genitourinary malformations in patients with imperforate anus

A retrospective review of 244 cases of imperforate anus demonstrated a 48% incidence of associated genitourinary (GU) anomalies. The incidence and severity of associated GU anomalies was directly related to the level of the fistula between the blind-ending rectum and the GU tract. High-level fistulae to the bladder neck in males and the cloaca in females demonstrated a 90% incidence of associated genitourinary anomalies. In contrast, lower-level fistule to the perineum revealed only a 14% incidence of associated GU anomalies. Classification of anorectal anomalies by fistula level provides an accurate means of predicting the likelihood of an associated GU malformation.