Anal canal duplication and triplication: a rare entity with different presentations

• DOI: 10.1007/s00383-017-4074-7
• Publication Date: 2017-03-02T07:08:14Z
• Authors: P. Palazon; V. Julia; L. Saura; I. de Haro; M. Bejarano; C. Rovira; X. Tarrado
• Keywords: Anus

Anal canal duplication (ACD) is the rarest of gastrointestinal duplications. Few cases have been reported. Most cases present as an opening in the midline, posterior to the normal anus. The aim of our revision is to contribute with eight new cases, some of them with unusual presentations: five presented as the typical form, one with a perianal nodule, and two presented as two separate orifices (anal canal triplication). Complete excision was performed in all patients with no complications. ACD is the most distal and the least frequent digestive duplication. Its treatment should be surgical excision, to avoid complications such as abscess, fistulization, or malignization. Anal canal triplication has never been described before.