Cloacal Exstrophy

Cloacal exstrophy is a very rare condition in which a child is born with their internal abdominal organs — the large intestine and bladder — outside of the body and the bladder is separated into two halves. In boys, the penis is usually flat and short and is sometimes split in two. In girls, the clitoris is separated into two halves. Children born with cloacal exstrophy may also have imperforate anus, spinal defects such as spina bifida, and/or other organs exposed including the liver, spleen, colon and rectum (omphalocele).

Treatment

Shortly after birth, the pediatric surgery and urology team will exam your baby in the operating room and do the first stage of the repair, in which an ostomy Is created and the two halves of the bladder are sewed together. If your child, has an omphalocele, it may be closed at this first procedure as well, depending on the size. 

Depending on your child’s other medical conditions, the team will perform the second stage of the repair after 6 months of age. This will often involve the orthopedic surgeons to help repair any pelvic abnormalities (such as pelvic diastasis).