Relevant problems of classification of anorectal malformations in children in modern conditions (literature review)
Authors:   Center of Neonatal Surgery of Congenital Malformations and its Rehabilitation SI «Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology named after academician O.M. Lukyanova NAMS of Ukraine», Kyiv, Ukraine, Dzham O. , Sliepov O. ,   Center of Neonatal Surgery of Congenital Malformations and its Rehabilitation SI «Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology named after academician O.M. Lukyanova NAMS of Ukraine», Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: December 2020

Given the diversity of anatomical and functional manifestations of congenital anorectal malformations, the most relevant remains development of classification of this pathology, for the same understanding by doctors of the manifestations of this defect and developing optimal common criteria for treatment tactics and strategies. The paper presents historical and current information on the classification of anorectal malformations in children. The main contradictory issues of the existing classifications are identified. The relevance of the use of Krickenbeck classification in the treatment of these defects is highlighted. Under the influence of different colorectal schools, historically, different educational and methodological approaches to the treatment of anorectal malformations. The first International Congress of Pediatric Surgeons was held in Melbourne, Australia, in 1970. The Melbourne meeting established an international classification of anorectal malformations. It was based on the development of defects at the stages of embryogenesis and their division by sex. Also, they are divided into: low, intermediate and high anorectal malformations. The second World Meeting of Pediatric Surgeons was held in Wingspread, Wisconsin, USA, in 1984, when F. D. Stephens and E. Smith, with a group of experts from around the world, proposed a detailed PAHR classification. The advantage of the Wingspread classification was that it could be used to predict the most optimal surgical treatment for various variants of anorectal defects. The third international conference on the development of standards for the treatment of congenital anorectal malformations took place in Krickenbeck, Germany, in 2005. This conference radically changed the latter classification, removing the terms «low», «intermediate» and «high» and the differences between female and male anomalies. The assessment depended on the presence and type of fistula. The reason for adopting such a classification was the great difficulty in comparing the results of different operations according to the old Wingspread classification. The peculiarity of this classification is the great contribution of colleagues from the Indian and Asian subcontinents to the surgical treatment of several anomalies, in particular: Pouch colon, which are rare in other countries. Today, pediatric surgeons in Ukraine generally do not use the Krickenbeck classification, despite the fact that it is generally accepted in most countries. This leads to the application of different approaches to the surgical treatment of congenital anorectal malformations, which emphasizes the relevance of further study of this issue. The informed consent of the patient was obtained for conducting the studies. Key words: congenital anorectal malformation, classification, children.