Persistent cloaca: persistence of the challenge

Authors

Abstract

Background
Persistent cloaca or cloacal anomalies represent a special category of anorectal anomalies affecting the female sex with a reported incidence of about one in 25,000 live birth.
Results
Renal anomalies were common association: solitary kidney in seven, pelvic kidney in two, and urinary tract dilatation (hydroureteronephrosis) in 12 cases. At follow-up, chronic renal insufficiency was detected in seven cases
Conclusion
Renal anomalies represent a common association with cloaca and a major cause of morbidity. Efforts should be directed to preserve renal function during the initial management, and to preserve the continence potential following the definitive repair.
Level of evidence
This is a case series with no comparison group (level IV).

Keywords