The congenital pouch colon can be used for vaginal reconstruction by longitudinal splitting

Abstract

Congenital pouch colon (CPC) is a rare malformation in which the distal part of a shortened colon forms a dilated pouch. It is associated with an anorectal malformation. We report 2 patients with CPC, one with a cloaca and one with vestibular fistula and vaginal atresia. It is the first description of CPC, vestibular fistula, and vaginal atresia. The purpose of this report was to demonstrate that the pouch can be split longitudinally--in analogy with Bianchi's intestinal lengthening procedure [Bianchi A. Intestinal loop lengthening: a technique for increasing small intestinal length. J Pediatr Surg 1980;15:145-51]--to create a vagina and to reconstruct the anorectum with preserved blood supply.