P.S. Malone

Preliminary report: the antegrade continence enema

The principles of antegrade colonic washout and the Mitrofanoff non-refluxing catheterisable channel were combined to produce a continent catheterisable colonic stoma. The intention was that antegrade washouts delivered by this route would produce complete colonic emptying and thereby prevent soiling. The procedure has been successfully carried out in five patients with intractable faecal incontinence.

The malone antegrade continence enema

The previously reported Malone antegrade continence enema (MACE) was used in 21 children for intractable fecal incontinence or constipation. Twelve are completely clean, and three are much improved (71% success rate). However, only four of the 21 have not had some type of complication, either minor or major. Five of the 21 now have a colostomy, and one has abandoned the procedure.

The MACE procedure : Experience in the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE The Malone Antegrade Continence enema (MACE) procedure has become commonplace in the treatment of patients with faecal incontinence and constipation. To ascertain its place in paediatric practice, the authors surveyed members of the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons (BAPS) to see if they have performed a MACE and continue to do so. The authors also assessed their indications, success rate, and complications. METHODS Members were asked to give the diagnosis of the patients submitted for surgery before September 1996, the procedure used to constructthe MACE, the rate of failure, and complications encountered. RESULTS A total of 300 MACE were reported, and the mean follow-up was 2.4 years. The diagnosis of 273 patients was known: spina bifida, 108; anorectal anomaly, 90; Hirschsprungs disease, 22; constipation, 23; other, 30. The most popular procedure was appendix disconnection and reimplantation. The overall success rate for all diagnoses was 79%. The main complication was stomal stenosis, 30%. CONCLUSIONS These figures confirm that MACE is a useful operation. Improved patient selection, improvement in techniques, and increasing knowledge regarding continued management should lead to improving results across the country.

Fetal Vesicoureteral Reflux: Outcome Following Conservative Postnatal Management

Of 222 infants with a urinary tract abnormality detected antenatally 30 male and 9 female patients (64 renal units) were found to have primary vesicoureteral reflux. Grade of reflux was predominantly severe, with grade III or higher noted in 83% of the patients. Prenatal and postnatal ultrasound failed to detect any abnormality in 29 refluxing units (45%) discovered contralateral to the known abnormal system, although 19 had grade III or higher reflux. Of the 64 refluxing units 8 underwent primary ureteral reimplantation, 12 were lost to followup and 44 were managed conservatively for a mean of 3.3 years. Reflux ceased in 61% of the cases, improved in 14% and remained unchanged in 23%. In only 1 unit did the grade of reflux increase. Documented urinary tract infection occurred in 6 of the 39 reflux patients. Dimercaptosuccinic acid renography performed in 21 infection-free patients demonstrated global reduction in renal parenchyma in 4 units, focal parenchymal defects in 3 and normal function in 14. Conservative postnatal management of fetal vesicoureteral reflux is justified. Global and focal parenchymal changes can occur in the kidneys of infants with reflux despite the absence of urinary tract infection.

How to achieve a successful Malone antegrade continence enema.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE The Malone antegrade continence enema (MACE) has proved invaluable in the management of children with faecal incontinence. The authors have reviewed their experience in depth to try and ascertain why some MACEs fail. METHODS The records of 31 children who had a MACE procedure between 1990 and 1995 were reviewed. Their preoperative bowel management, the operative procedure, the postoperative washout regime, and the outcome were assessed. Success was graded either as full, described as totally clean or minor rectal leakage on the night of the washout; partial, described as clean but significant stomal or rectal leakage, occasional major leaks, still wearing protection, and perceived improvement by the parents or child; or failure, described as regular soiling or constipation, no perceived improvement, and the procedure abandoned. There were 18 boys and 13 girls in the series. The mean age at survey was 8.4 years. RESULTS Overall success rate was 19 of 31 (61%) with a mean follow-up of 3.25 years. The diagnosis and success rates were: anorectal anomaly 11 (success, 8 of 11, 73%), neuropathic bowel 11 (8 of 11, 73%), chronic constipation 8 (3 of 8, 38%).

The functional sequelae of sacrococcygeal teratoma

Twenty-seven patients with sacrococcygeal teratoma were followed for a mean period of 5 years (range, 2 to 12 years). Eleven (41%) had some form of functional impairment. Fecal and/or urinary incontinence was present in nine children and two had weakness of the lower limbs secondary to sciatic nerve palsy. Tumors with large intrapelvic extensions requiring an abdominoperineal approach for resection were associated with a higher incidence of functional sequelae (67%). It is recommended that patients with sacrococcygeal teratoma (particularly those with a presacral extension) be closely monitored for functional deficits so that early treatment can be instituted.

Continent catheterizable conduits: which stoma, which conduit and which reservoir?

Objective To assess the outcome of the various methods used in creating continent catheterizable conduits.

Diversion colitis in children with colovaginoplasty

Objective To highlight the occurrence of diversion colitis and its effects in colovaginoplasty.

The antegrade continence enema procedure why, when and how?

Abstract Following the description of the antegrade continence enema (ACE) 7 years ago, it has become widely performed and accepted as the most successful treatment for intractable faecal incontinence. Modifications of the operative technique and enema regimen have been described, but the basic principle remains. This paper traces the evolution of the ACE and describes criteria for patient selection, operative technique and enema regimens.

Symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing in children with nocturnal enuresis

OBJECTIVES There is an association between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and nocturia in adults, raising the question as to whether SDB could play a role in the aetiology of nocturnal enuresis (NE) in children. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between these two conditions. METHODS The study group comprised 40 patients, aged 5-15 years, with enuresis and the control group 40 children undergoing routine day-case surgery. Subjects completed a Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) and a questionnaire assessing lower tract symptoms. Categorical variables were analysed using Pearsons Xi(2) test, and group differences for continuous variables using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests or t-tests according to the distribution of data. RESULTS The groups were well matched. Patients with NE had significantly higher total PSQ scores (P<0.001). PSQ subscales relating to daytime sleepiness (P<0.003) and daytime behaviour (P<0.000) were significantly worse in NE patients. The snoring subscale was not statistically different (P<0.051), but a comparison of females alone showed a highly significant difference (P<0.001) with higher snoring subscale scores in girls with NE. CONCLUSION Children with NE had significantly higher PSQ scores. The data suggest an association between NE and SDB in girls. The significantly higher level of reports of daytime sleepiness and behavioural problems in all NE children warrants further study to determine the potential causative pathways and clinical relevance of these findings. SDB could be usefully assessed in children with NE, particularly when they do not respond to standard treatment.