VACTERL With Complications

I am a 50 year old male born with spinal abnormalities (klippel-fiel in cervical and lumbar spines, fused vertebrae, hemi vertebrae) a horseshoe kidney, fistulas, and imperforate anus requiring pull through.  My rectum is a long thin tube that tapers into a normal size at the sigmoid colon.  

I am suffering from cramps and diarhea (diarrhea) and use the restroom more than 10 times per day.  This occurs about two days a week.  Other days I am constipated and don't pass any stool.  I was last hospitalized in early October 2007.  At that time my sigmoid colon was completely inflamed and closed.  Additionally, the colonoscopy showed ulcerated and ischemic bowel.  They took three biopsies and these came back with "non-specific" findings.  

What is known about the impact of analplasty repairs performed in the late 50's on the adult lives of patients who underwent this procedure?  I have been plagued throughout my life with bowel obstructions, diarhea (diarrhea) and irritable bowel like symptoms.  I have been going to gi specialists for three years now and still have no diagnoses.

gfl

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi sickogfl,
Most of the studies and case reports on  long term effects of anoplasty are done for a period of about 10 years. These reports say the patients with anoplasty  have constipation or incontinence.

I have not seen anyone with a history of anoplasty done 50 years ago. Also I am not able to find any reference in this issue.

I feel that you might be having a  stricture at the junction of the sigmoid and rectum leading to bacterial overgrowth , colitis and other symptoms.

Consult your gastro to know how to find out if there is any stricture and what to do if there is one.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.

[sickogfl]

A related discussion, VACTERL Complications Followup was started.