As part of a recent mission, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center performed corrective surgeries on children with anorectal malformations in Tanzania with the help of an ultrasound system donated by Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.

Along with the non-profit organization Mending Kids, 10 medical personnel from Cincinnati Children’s used Toshiba’s Viamo ultrasound to perform 15 lifesaving surgeries and train medical staff at Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Anorectal malformations affect one in 5,000 babies and are slightly more common in males, according to Cincinnati Children’s. The exact cause of the condition in children is unknown, but in some cases environmental factors or drug exposure during pregnancy might contribute.

Treatment depends on the types of anorectal malformation, the presence and type of associated abnormalities and the child’s overall health. Infants with a rectoperineal malformation require a procedure called anoplasty, which involves moving the anus to the appropriate place within the muscles that control continence.

Infants without a fistula will need one or more operations to correct the malformation, which usually starts with an operation to create a colostomy. The next operation creates a connection between the rectum and newly created anal opening.


The Viamo ultrasound enables the surgical team to successfully assist in the workup for all of the anorectal surgical procedures performed. They are also able to conduct other exams including identifying tethered spinal cords, finding veins for IV access in the ICU and imaging conjoined twins.

Mending Kids provides lifesaving surgical care to children around the world. Most of the surgeries are to correct congenital heart defects, orthopedic abnormalities, severe scoliosis and cranial facial deformities.

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