Our physicians have specialized expertise in treatment of:
Anorectal malformation, also known as imperforate anus, is a condition with which children are born with an abnormal anal opening. This condition affects 1 in 5,000 children. The causes of this condition are not known for sure, but are likely due to a problems with prenatal development of the digestive tract.
A cloacal malformation, or cloaca, is a rare condition that occurs in 1 in 25,000 girls. It is a severe form of anorectal malformation that occurs early in fetal development, in which the rectum, vaginal tract and urinary tract fail to separate. These structures merge into one common channel called a cloaca. The length of the common channel can vary in length and will affect how the malformation is prepared.
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.
Hirschsprung disease is a condition that children are born with that stops or slows the movement of food and waste through the intestine. It is caused by a problem with the nerve cells in the intestine, most commonly the rectum or colon (the lower part of the intestine). Normally these nerves help the muscles in the wall of the bowel squeeze and relax, which pushes food and waste along the way.
Constipation is defined as having less than three bowel movements a week, often with hard stools and straining. Our multidisciplinary GI Motility clinic includes pediatric surgeons, gastroenterologists, pelvic floor physical therapists, and psychologists to determine the best treatment plan for your patients. Our gastroenterologists may offer anorectal or colonic manometry (which measures the motility of the intestine) to help diagnose and treat your child. Our pediatric surgeons may offer surgical resection or antegrade enema procedures (such as a cecostomy or Malone appendicostomy) to help your treat your child’s constipation.
Fecal incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements, which can result in stool accidents. Our multidisciplinary GI Motility Clinic includes pediatric surgeons, gastroenterologists, pelvic floor physical therapists and psychologists to determine the best treatment plan for your child. Our gastroenterologists may offer anorectal or colonic manometry (measuring the intestine’s motility) to help diagnose and treat your child. Our pediatric surgeons may offer surgical resection or antegrade enema procedures (such as a cecostomy or Malone appendicostomy) to help your treat your child’s incontinence.
