A Consensus Meeting on Vaginal Replacement in Children with Anorectal Malformations (ARM) took place on 24–25 April 2025 in Lund, Sweden.
Twenty leading experts in pediatric surgery, pediatric urology, gynaecology, psychology, and methodology from Europe and the United States gathered to develop clinical guidance on the treatment of vaginal atresia in ARM patients, supported by ERN eUROGEN and ARM-Net, with funding from the European Commission.
While ARM itself is rare, the need for vaginal replacement in these patients is considered ultra-rare. Treatment approaches vary widely across regions and among different specialities. To address this, a structured consensus was developed under the guidance of Qualicura, bringing together a multidisciplinary team of pediatric surgeons, gynaecologists, pediatric urologists, psychologists, patients, and patient organisation representatives.
The group focused on key decisions that must be made at different stages of life—early childhood, adolescence, and adulthood—to ensure optimal outcomes for patients. Using a structured consensus methodology, they collaborated to develop a Clinical Decision Support Tool (CDST) to guide clinical practice in these complex cases.
We extend our sincere thanks to the surgical team in Lund, particularly Dr. Pernilla Stenström, for their leadership and excellent organisation of this important meeting.
