Growth morbidity in patients with cloacal exstrophy: a 42-year experience

Updates on the Care of Cloacal Exstrophy

Cloacal exstrophy is the most severe congenital anomaly of the exstrophy-epispadias complex and is characterized by gastrointestinal, genitourinary, neurospinal, and musculoskeletal malformations. Individualized surgical reconstruction by a multidisciplinary team is required for these complex patients. Not infrequently, patients need staged surgical procedures throughout childhood and adolescence. Following significant improvements in medical care and surgical reconstructive techniques, nearly all patients with cloacal exstrophy now survive, leading to an increased emphasis on quality of life. Increased attention is given to gender identity and the implications of reconstructive decisions. Long-term sequelae of cloacal exstrophy, including functional continence and sexual dysfunction, are recognized, and many patients require ongoing complex care into adulthood.

Hindgut Duplication in an Infant with Omphalocele-Exstrophy-Imperforate Anus-Spinal Defects (OEIS) Complex

Introduction  The congenital anomaly of omphalocele, cloacal exstrophy, imperforate anus, and spinal abnormalities (OEIS complex) is rare but well recognized. Hindgut duplications are also uncommon and are not known to be associated with OEIS. We describe a neonate with OEIS who was found to have fully duplicated blind-ending hindguts. Case Report  A premature infant boy with OEIS underwent first-stage closure on day of life 6, which included excision of the omphalocele sac, separation of the cecal plate and bladder halves, tubularization of the cecal plate, hindgut rescue with end colostomy, and joining of the bladder halves. Cecal plate inspection revealed two hindgut structures that descended distally, one descended midline into the pelvis along the sacrum and the second laterally along the left border of the sacrum. Both lumens connected to the cecal plate and had separate mesenteries. In an effort to maximize the colonic mucosal surface area, the hindgut segments were unified through a side-to-side anastomosis, creating a larger caliber hindgut. The cecal plate was tubularized and an end colostomy was created. Bowel function returned and he was discharged home on full enteral feeds. Discussion  This case represents a cooccurrence of two extremely rare and complex congenital anomalies. The decision to unify the distinct hindguts into a single lumen was made in an effort to combine the goals of management for both OEIS and alimentary duplications. The hindgut is abnormal in OEIS and should be assessed carefully during repair.

The dual-staged pathway for closure in cloacal exstrophy: Successful evolution in collaborative surgical practice

INTRODUCTION

A successful abdominal wall and bladder closure is critical in the management of cloacal exstrophy (CE). This study examines closure outcomes and practices over the last 4 decades at the authors' institution. Beginning in 1995, the authors' institution standardized CE closure and management with the Dual-Staged Pathway (DSP). The DSP consists of a staged bladder closure, a staged or concurrent osteotomy, and postoperative immobilization with external fixation. The authors hypothesize that the DSP has provided better outcomes in CE closures.

METHODS

A prospective database of 1332 Exstrophy-Epispadias Complex (EEC) patients was reviewed for CE patients closed between 1975 and 2015. The DSP consists of a staged osteotomy and a staged bladder closure in CE patients with a diastasis greater than 4 cm. To evaluate the DSP, outcomes of closure at the authors' institution were compared between two equal, twenty-year periods before and after its implementation. Data on timing of closure, postoperative management, surgical complications, and outcomes were collected.

RESULTS

There are 142 CE patients in the database. In this study, 49 CE patients with 50 closures met inclusion criteria. The overall success rate of closures from 1975 to 1994 was 88% (14 of 16), while the success rate of the DSP was 100% (n = 34), p = 0.098. Twenty-two (65%) primary and 12 (35%) secondary closures were performed using the DSP. Overall complication rates of the DSP remained similar to previous closures, (29% vs 19%, p = 0.508). Since incorporation of the DSP, patients referred for closure have generally had a larger preclosure diastasis (7.2 cm vs 5.1 cm, p = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

The standardized DSP closure has proven successful in 34 primary and reoperative cloacal closures in the past 20 years. With this approach, the authors feel that the DSP offers greater patient safety and better outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Impaired growth outcomes in children with congenital colorectal diseases

BACKGROUND

Cloaca, Hirschsprung disease, and anorectal malformations (CHARM) are congenital anomalies of the hindgut. Small series have suggested that children suffering from one of these anomalies may be at risk for growth impairment. We sought to expand on these findings in a comprehensive cohort, hypothesizing that patients with Medicaid insurance or African-American (AA) race would be at higher risk for poor growth.

METHODS

Following Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, single-institution retrospective review of children with CHARM anomalies was performed (2009-2016). Body mass index (BMI) value Z-scores were obtained using the 2006 World Health Organization (age 0-24 mo) and 2000 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (age >2 y) growth charts and calculators (statistical analysis system). Patient factors and BMI Z-scores were analyzed with descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

One hundred sixty-six patients (Cloaca n = 16, Hirschsprung disease [HD] n = 71, anorectal malformation [ARM] n = 79) were identified. The BMI Z-score distribution for the entire CHARM cohort was lower than controls (P < 0.0001). HD and ARM BMI Z-scores were also lower versus controls (P < 0.0007, P < 0.0037). Requiring more or less than the average number of surgeries did not impact BMI Z-score [P = non-significant (NS)]. Patients with Medicaid had lower Z-scores versus private or commercial insurance (P < 0.0001). AA race BMI Z-score distribution was lower than controls (P < 0.0002), but there was no statistical difference in BMI Z-scores when comparing AA versus non-AA CHARM patients (P = NS).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients born with CHARM anomalies are at risk for impaired growth. Furthermore study is warranted to identify modifiable risk factors contributing to this impairment. Longitudinal follow-up should include interventions to mitigate these risks.