Two-Staged Versus Three-Staged Laparoscopic Anorectoplasty for Patients with Rectoprostatic and Bladder Neck Fistulas: A Comparative Study.

To compare the results of two- versus three-staged laparoscopic anorectoplasty (LARP) in children with rectoprostatic and bladder neck fistulas. The present study was retrospectively initiated among 32 consecutive patients who underwent two-staged LARP from October 2010 to December 2012. The associated defects, age at the operation, operative time, complications, length of the postoperative hospital stay, total hospitalization cost, and functional results (according to the Krickenbeck scoring system) were evaluated. The results were compared with those of 19 cases who underwent three-staged LARP from October 2008 to September 2010. The average age at the second operation was 4.5 ± 1.2 months in the two-staged group, and 4.2 ± 1.3 months in the three-staged group. In the two-staged group, there were statistically shorter overall operative time and postoperative hospital stay duration. Also, a significantly lower total hospitalization cost was achieved. There was no anastomotic leak in either group. The rates of perineal wound infection, recurrent fistula, and rectal prolapse were 3.85% versus 0% ( = 1.000), 0% versus 5.3% ( = .422), and 11.5% versus 15.8% ( = .686), respectively (two-staged versus three-staged group). The median follow-up time was 67 (range, 54-80) months and 88 (range, 81-104) months, respectively. No significant difference in functional outcome was observed. Two-staged LARP is feasible, safe, and more cost-effective, with comparable incidences of complications and functional outcomes with respect to a three-staged procedure.