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Published on: October 12, 2017
Understanding cloacal anomalies
S A Warne1, M P Hiorns, J Curry
1Department of Paediatric Urology, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, London WC1N 3JH, UK. stephaniewarne@hotmail.co.uk
Insights
Persistent cloaca, a severe anorectal malformation, requires complex surgical reconstruction. While surgery can correct defects, lifelong monitoring is crucial for bowel, bladder, and renal function, alongside gynecological assessment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Developmental Biology
- Urology
Background:
- Persistent cloaca is the most severe congenital anorectal malformation.
- Associated anomalies, particularly urinary tract and spinal, are common.
- Surgical correction presents significant reconstructive challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the embryology and diagnosis of persistent cloaca.
- To outline early management and surgical reconstruction techniques.
- To discuss long-term outcomes and surveillance needs.
Main Methods:
- Review of embryological development.
- Analysis of prenatal diagnostic methods.
- Discussion of neonatal findings and radiological assessments.
- Summary of early management strategies.
- Evaluation of common surgical reconstruction techniques.
Main Results:
- Anatomical correction is achievable in most patients through surgery.
- Bowel and bladder control are primary goals of reconstruction.
- Many patients require additional urological procedures for continence and renal protection.
- Renal failure affects approximately 50% of patients, necessitating lifelong surveillance.
- Gynecological issues are frequent, requiring assessment at puberty.
Conclusions:
- Surgical reconstruction can achieve anatomical correction for persistent cloaca.
- Long-term management requires multidisciplinary care, including urology and gynecology.
- Lifelong surveillance is mandatory due to high risks of renal failure and associated problems.
Abstract:
Persistent cloaco is the most severe type of anorectal malformation encountered in children. Patients with cloacal anomalies have a high incidence of associated anomalies most commonly: urinary tract and spinal. Persistent cloaca remains a difficult reconstructive challenge but it is now possible to anatomically correct the defect with surgery in the majority of patients. This review discusses embryology, prenatal diagnosis, neonatal physical and radiological findings. A summary of early management and investigation is provided and the commonest surgical reconstruction techniques are discussed. The main goals of surgical reconstruction are the achievement of bowel and bladder control for the child and normal sexual function in adult life. Although the majority of cloaca patients can achieve faecal and urinary continence with the surgical reconstructive procedures performed today, many require additional/multiple urological procedures to achieve continence, treat bladder dysfunction and to protect renal function. One half of patients will develop renal failure, so regular and life long surveillance is mandatory. Due to the high number of associated gynaecological problems all patients should be assessed by a paediatric gynaecologist at puberty.
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