Long-term urological outcome of patients presenting with persistent cloaca.

PURPOSE

Persistent cloaca is a complex malformation with variable presentation that remains a difficult reconstructive challenge. Previous reviews have concentrated on surgical technique, and data on long-term outcome are scarce. We evaluate long-term outcome and when possible correlate outcome with anatomy at presentation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The records and radiographs of 64 patients 0.5 to 25 years old with persistent cloaca treated at 1 institution from 1975 to 2000 were retrospectively reviewed to determine the outcome for urinary and fecal continence. Outcome data were available in 61 girls as 3 died. Of these patients 11 were younger than 3 years, making evaluation of continence difficult, and so the remaining 50 patients constitute the study population. Mean patient age at review was 11.3 years (range 4 to 25).

RESULTS

Of the 50 patients 10 (20%) are incontinent of urine (4 with urinary diversion) and 40 (80%) are socially continent, including 11 (22%) who void spontaneously, 6 (12%) who perform clean intermittent catheterization alone and 23 (46%) who underwent reconstructive surgery. Fecal continence was achieved in 30 (60%) of patients and 40% are fecal incontinent or have a stoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of patients born with a cloacal malformation can achieve social fecal and urinary control, although in 46% additional reconstructive surgery was required. The presence of a good bladder neck, short common channel, a normal sacrum and 2 normal kidneys indicates improved prognosis for urinary continence. Achieving normal voiding continence in a child with a cloacal malformation still represents an enormous surgical challenge.