The functional sequelae of sacrococcygeal teratoma: a longitudinal and cross-sectional follow-up study.

AIM: The purpose of the study was to determine clinical manifestations, prevalence, and natural history of functional sequelae in patients operated on for sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) during infancy.

METHODS: The medical records of 18 infants operated on for SCT were reviewed. Data recorded during admission and during routine outpatient appointments were analyzed. Moreover, 13 surviving patients (mean age, 25 years) and 65 age- and sex-matched controls were evaluated at a special outpatient clinic.

RESULTS: Seven adult patients and 25 controls presented with one or more functional disorders including abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, soiling, enuresis, urinary frequency, urinary stress incontinence, and urinary straining. In 7 of 8 symptomatic children, one or more functional disorders disappeared during adult life. In comparison with controls, adult patients had a nonsignificant higher prevalence of each individual dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS: Sequelae of SCT tend to improve with time, and the disorders reported are relatively common complaints in the general population.