Pediatric surgery international
Comparison of fecal continence and bowel function scoring systems following anorectal malformation repair: a systematic review
By Wang J, Wang J, Zhang Y and 5 others.
Abstract
Purpose
Multiple instruments are used to assess fecal continence and bowel function after anorectal malformation (ARM) repair, but their comparability is uncertain. This systematic review examined inter-system agreement and differences in the findings produced when two or more scoring systems were applied to the same ARM cohort.
Methods
MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from inception through 26 April 2026. Original studies applying at least two named fecal continence or bowel function scoring systems to the same ARM cohort were eligible. Risk of bias was assessed using an adapted QUADAS-2 framework. Because comparable agreement estimates were sparse, results were synthesized narratively (PROSPERO: CRD420261377404).