Rare. This pathology is much more common in girls than boys. It consists of an erythematosus and humid mucosal groove that extends from the posterior vulvar edge to the anterior margin of the anus. The cause is unknown: embryological remnants  of the uroanal septum ? remnants of the cloacal duct ? It can be associated with an anorectal malformation.

The possible complications are: constipation, genital or urinary infections. The lesion usually resolves spontaneous following epithelization in the first or second year of life. Surgical correction is however necessary, in case of frequent complications.

Anesthetic implications:

none in absence of associated anorectal malformation

References : 

-        Mullassery D, Turnock R, Kokai G.
Perineal groove.
J Pediatr Surg 2006 ; 41 : e41-3.

-        Harsono M, Pourcyrous M.
Perineal groove : a rare congenital midline defect of perineum.
Am J Perinatol Rep 2016; e30-2.

-        de la Monneraye Y, Benoist G, Marchesi L, Crosnier A-S, Guinard-Samuel V.
Rainurure périnéale congénitale : à propos d’un cas.
Arch Fr Pédiatr 2017 ; 24 : 1259-61 

-        Samuk I, Amerstorfer EE, Fanjul M, Iacobelli BD, Lisi G et al.
Perineal groove: an anorectal malformation network, Consortium study.
J Pediatr 2020; 222: 207-12

Updated: July 2020