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Research & Innovation
It starts with a Q:
For the latest cutting-edge research, innovative collaborations and remarkable discoveries in child health, read stories from across all our areas of study in Q: Advances and Answers in Pediatric Health.
Cloaca Repair and Treatment
Surgical treatment of cloaca
Cloaca is a complex condition that requires multiple surgeries. Knowing your baby needs one surgery is scary, but knowing they need more than one surgery can feel overwhelming. The surgical treatment a child will need depends on the type of cloaca they have and any other health problems they were born with.
Our families discuss their experience with surgery
Tashi's parents share their experience with the surgeries she has had and how their family has managed the journey.
Cloaca repair and treatment options and resources
Cloaca treatment occurs in stages. The treatment a child will need depends on the type of cloaca they have and any other health problems they have.
Colostomy and PSARVUP surgery
During PSARVUP, the surgeon separates the urethra, vagina and rectum so there are three perineal openings at the end of the operation, instead of one. The type of surgery your child needs depends on the length of the common channel.
Our multidisciplinary treatment approach
Our multidisciplinary care team is dedicated to helping your child achieve the best outcomes possible to improve their quality of life.
Multidisciplinary Care Team Approach
Cloaca repair and treatment timeline
The timeline below is an example of the treatment a child with cloaca may need.
24 hours to 2 months old:
- Tests to rule out other health problems
- Drainage of hydrocolpos (fluid buildup in the vagina)
- Surgery to create a colostomy
2 to 9 months old:
- PSARVUP reconstructive surgery
- Colostomy closure
3 years old:
- Bowel management (enemas or laxatives)
5 to 8 years old:
- Antegrade continence enema (ACE) procedure (if enemas are needed for life)
- Mitrofanoff procedure (if intermittent catheterization is needed for life and urethral catheterization is not possible)
"We feel extremely fortunate that we happened to be in Colorado near Children's Hospital."Karsang, Tashi's father
Additional patient resources
Next: Living with cloaca
One family living with cloaca shares how this experience has made them all stronger and offers advice for others about to go through their journey.
Read other inspiring stories about patients born with an anorectal malformation and how they persevered.
Our International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care is home to world-renowned surgeons, Alberto Peña, MD, and Andrea Bischoff, MD.
We’ve compiled helpful information, videos and links related to complex colorectal conditions and information about our support programs for families.
Partnership with the University of Colorado School of Medicine
Children's Hospital Colorado partners with the University of Colorado School of Medicine, where many of our physicians and care providers serve as faculty.