[citation needed] When an infant is born with an anorectal malformation, it is usually detected quickly as it is a very obvious defect.

Doctors will then determine the type of birth defect the child was born with and whether or not there are any associated malformations.

Determining the presence of any associated defects during the newborn period in order to treat them early may avoid further sequelae.

While many surgical techniques to definitively repair anorectal malformations have been described, the posterior sagittal approach (PSARP) has become the most popular.

[citation needed] With a high lesion, many children have problems controlling bowel function and most also become constipated.

[14] 7th-century Byzantine physician Paulus Aegineta described a surgical treatment for imperforate anus for the first time.

[15] 10th-century Persian physician Haly Abbas was the first to highlight preserving the sphincter muscles throughout the surgery and the prevention of strictures with a stent.