Proctoscopy

"Proctoscopy was then done and the child was cured promptly by small multiple incisions followed by dilation with the finger and rectal dilators. Perhaps we have "dwelt in a fool's paradise" in not having these patients examined with the proctoscope and treated proctologically and surgically. I have no quarrel with any one who takes this view. Perhaps we were dealing with exceptions and coincidences. There are doubtless cases that require surgery, or are best treated surgically. And yet from this series it would seem that many of these constrictions are of such a nature that they can be safely dilated with the finger without the use of dangerous force; that, once sufficiently dilated, they remain so, and that one is justified in trying the simpler procedure first. SUMMARY: In six cases of infantile congenital anorectal stricture, apparently all of the simple diaphragmatic type, in which abdominal (colonic) distention was the outstanding symptom, the obstruction was promptly relieved by finger dilation."