Causes of postoperative mortality in anorectal malformations: analysis and conclusions regarding therapy.

We studied 279 cases of rectal malformation in the hospitals of Munich, Berne and Lucerne in order to evaluate the mortality in this condition. 51 children died, an overall mortality of 18.2%. Three fourths of these fatalities were due to associated severe malformations, prematurity or brain damage respectively. Eleven children died because of postoperative infections. In the future the use of appropriate measures to avoid these complications should be attempted.