Operative treatment of anterior ectopic anus: the efficacy and influence of age on results.

In our experience, anterior ectopic anus (AEA) is a common cause of constipation in children. We have performed 54 anoplasties for AEA in the past 8 years. Seventy-eight percent of the patients were girls. The average age at surgery was 23.8 months and the average stool frequency prior to surgery was once every 3.2 days. Eighty percent of the children had undergone attempts at medical therapy. We compared the functional results of anoplasty in children by age. The children who had surgery prior to the age of 6 months had a significantly better outcome than did older children. These data suggest that patients with AEA have a better response to operative therapy when anoplasty is performed prior to 6 months of age. Early recognition, referral, and surgery is appropriate therapy in this patient group.