Functional outcome after cord detethering in fecally incontinent patients with anorectal malformations

Retrospective study of 27 ARM patients with tethered cord and fecal incontinence shows cord detethering surgery improved bowel control in 55% and urinary continence in 44% of cases, with better outcomes in patients with colonic hypomotility. Functional improvement was notably independent of sacral ratio, challenging conventional prognostic indicators.