Transurachal Catheter for Management of Difficult Catheterization in Anorectal Malformations: A Novel Technique.

BACKGROUND:Urinary tract drainage is necessary to facilitate the maneuver in laparoscopic-assisted anorectoplasty (LAARP). Male patients with Anorectal malformations (ARM) are often encounter difficult catheterization during surgery. OBJECTIVE:We pioneered the urinary catheterization through the urachus in ARM patients and evaluated the efficacy. METHOD:Fourteen ARM patients undergoing urinary catheterization through urachus between September 2015 and September 2023 were reviewed. RESULTS:The median age at the time of surgery was 0.06 months. Nine neonatal patients underwent the one-stage LAARP, while five patients underwent staged procedure. Four ARM patients with rectoprostatic fistula, while ten with rectobulbar fistula. All patients successfully underwent transurachal catheterization. No incidents of catheter blockage, accidental removal, or urinary tract infection symptoms were detected during hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS:Transurachal catheterization is a safe, effective, and cosmetic procedure for ARM patients with difficulty urethral catheterization. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:IV.