Cloacal dysgenesis: related anomalies and pregnancies

Cloacal dysgenesis is an extremely rare birth deformity that occurs only in female infants. It results when the normal interposition of the müllerian system between the urinary and alimentary tracts fails to occur between the sixth and eighth weeks of fetal development. A case is presented of an infant who was born with a cloaca and survived temporizing surgical procedures that produced a neorectovagina as a corrective measure. Incredibly, at age 28, conception occurred. A cesarean section was an absolute requirement but would directly expose the peritoneal cavity to gross contamination by bowel content. Nonetheless, a supravesical extraperitoneal cesarean section was successfully completed. After 6 months concept again occurred. The same surgical procedures were repeated at term. In each instance, the newborn was normal and survived.