One-stage versus staged laparoscopic-assisted anorectoplasty for high-and intermediate anorectal malformations: Medium-term outcomes from a propensity score matching analysis
Anorectal malformations (ARMs) are common congenital colorectal defects in newborns. The ultimate goal of reconstructive surgery for ARMs is to obtain a good defecatory function. Currently, the three-staged procedures are still the mainstay for the high and intermediate ARMs [1–3]. However, the timing of anorectoplasty is also essential for long-term bowel function [4,5]. There have been attempts to carry out a one-stage posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) at birth and achieve better results than three-stage PSARP [6,7].