Transition and reversal: long-term experience of the MACE procedure in children

Purpose Analysis of outcomes and follow-up of children who underwent the Malone antegrade continence enema (MACE) procedure in a UK tertiary paediatric surgery unit. Methods Children who underwent a MACE procedure from 1998 to 2020 were identified. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from contemporaneous records. Outcomes were categorised as full (success), partial or failure. Results Ninety-five children were identified for inclusion (chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC, 59), anorectal malformations (ARM, 23) and Hirschsprung’s disease (HD, 13)). Mean age at surgery was 9.4 years (3–19 years) and mean follow-up time was 6 years (0.3–16.8 years). Outcomes were successful in 69% of CIC patients, 78% in ARM and 69% in HD. Twenty (21%) underwent MACE reversal after developing independent continence, with a significant difference between groups (CIC 19%, ARM 9%, HD 54%, p = 0.0047). 50% of patients > 16 years old were transitioned to adult services. Conclusion We report a success rate of 72% for MACE procedures in our unit, with a significant difference in reversal rate between diagnostic groups. Long term, a fifth of patients no longer required their MACE. When these patients reach adolescence, those who require ongoing support outside of the paediatric surgery setting should be safely transitioned to adult services.