Comparative study of malformed atresia ani et recti with or without customized stent in new born calf

Introduction: Atresia ani is a congenital condition commonly seen in young animals such as calves, lambs, and kids. Anatomically, atresia ani has been classified into four types, namely, I, II, III, and IV (Vianna and Tobias, 2005). Type I atresia ani is defined as a congenital stenosis of a patent anus. Type II has a persistent complete anal membrane alone or a combination of an anal membrane with the rectum ending as a blind pouch cranial to the membrane. Type III has an imperforate anus with rectum terminating further cranially. Type IV has a normal ending of the terminal rectum and anus, while the cranial rectum terminates as a blind pouch within the pelvis. Aim of the Study: The aim of the study was to compare the use of customized stent-based correction over the routine pattern followed for the correction of atresia ani et recti. Materials and Methods: Two 3 days old calves with atresia ani et recti were subjects for the study. Both cases were surgically corrected by routine standard surgical technique. Furthermore, in second case, a customized stent was used to prevent stricture of anoplasty. Results: Customized stent used here was successful in preventing the anoplasty stricture as well as this prevented soiling the suture site with feces, which is very common after anoplasty procedure. Conclusion: This case report suggests that use of a sterile syringe, which can be customized, may be used as a stent to prevent stricture of anoplasty as well as reduce wound contamination, thus providing better and faster wound healing and reduces the postoperative complications.