Treatment guidelines for persistent cloaca, cloacal exstrophy, and Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Häuser syndrome for the appropriate transitional care of patients

European Reference Network eUROGEN Guidelines on the Management of Anorectal Malformations, Part II: Treatment

INTRODUCTION

 Anorectal malformations (ARMs) are rare birth defects affecting the anorectum and oftentimes the genitourinary region. The management of ARM patients is complex and requires highly specialized surgical and medical care. The European Reference Network eUROGEN for rare and complex urogenital conditions aimed to develop comprehensive guidelines for the management of ARM applicable on a European level.

METHODS

 The Dutch Quality Standard for ARM served as the basis for the development of guidelines. Literature was searched in Medline, Embase, and Cochrane. The ADAPTE method was utilized to incorporate the newest available evidence. A panel of 15 experts from seven European countries assessed currency, acceptability, and applicability of recommendations. Recommendations from the Dutch Quality Standard were adapted, adopted, or rejected and recommendations were formed considering the current evidence, expert opinion, and the European context.

RESULTS

 Surgical and medical treatment of ARM, postoperative instructions, toilet training, and management of fecal and urinary incontinence were addressed. Seven new studies were identified. The panel adapted 23 recommendations, adopted 3, and developed 8 de novo. The overall level of newly found evidence was considered low.

CONCLUSION

 Treatment of ARM patients requires a multidisciplinary team and expertise about anatomical and surgical aspects of the disease, as well as long-term follow-up. This guideline offers recommendations for surgical and medical treatment of ARM and associated complications, according to the best available evidence and applicable on a European level.

The clinical features of patients who underwent bladder augmentation of cloacal exstrophy and their functional outcomes: the results of a nationwide survey in Japan

PURPOSE

Cloacal exstrophy (CE) patients may need bladder reconstruction after initially undergoing surgery to obtain continence and improve their quality of life. This study attempts to clarify the clinical features of CE patients who underwent bladder augmentation (BA) and their urinary functional outcomes based on a nationwide survey in Japan.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey was conducted, and 150 CE patients were enrolled. Their clinical characteristics and urinary outcomes were reviewed.

RESULTS

BA was performed in 52 patients (34.7%). Most cases underwent early bladder closure at initial surgery in neonate period. The age at the BA was performed 6.4 [6-9.0] years. Among them, the most used organ for BA was ileum (n = 30, 57.7%). Regarding the outcomes, the age when the renal function was evaluated was 14.0 [10.0-20.5] years and the serum creatinine level was 0.44 [0.36-0.60] (mg/dl). Clean intermittent catheterization was required in 37 (71.2%) patients. On the other hand, no dialysis or kidney transplantation was necessary in any of these patients.

CONCLUSION

The renal function and conditions of patients who underwent BA were relatively well preserved. Individualized management with a stepwise surgical approach for CE patients should thus be considered in the future.

Surgical Therapy After Failed Feminizing Genitoplasty in Young Adults With Disorders of Sex Development: Retrospective Analysis and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Secondary vaginal stenosis may occur after reconstruction of genital malformations in childhood or after failed vaginal aplasia repair in adults.

AIM

This study focusses on the results of the surgical treatment of these patients in our multidisciplinary transitional disorders/differences of sex development team of pediatric surgeons and gynecologists.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was carried out on adult and female identified disorders/differences of sex development patients with vaginal stenoses treated between 2015 and 2018 in a single center with revision vaginoplasty. The underlying type of malformation, the number and surgical techniques of vaginoplasties in infancy, techniques of revision of the stenotic vagina, vaginal length and caliber, possibility of sexual intercourse, and temporary vaginal dilatation. A review of literature with regard to recommended surgical techniques of revision vaginoplasties was accomplished.

OUTCOMES

To describe the surgical technique, the main outcome measures of this study are vaginal calipers after revision vaginoplasty as well as ability for sexual intercourse.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients presented with vaginal stenosis with a median age of 19 years (range 16-31). All patients had one or more different types of vaginoplasties in their medical history, with a median age at first vaginoplasty of 15 months (0-233). Underlying anatomical conditions were urogenital sinus (n = 8), vaginal agenesis (n = 2), persistent cloacae (n = 2), and cloacal exstrophy (n = 1). The main symptoms were disability of sexual intercourse in 13 patients due to stenotic vaginal tissue. The most frequently performed surgical technique was partial urogenital mobilization with a perineal or lateral flaps (n = 10), followed by bowel vaginoplasty (n = 2), in 1 patient a revision vaginoplasty failed due to special anatomical conditions. In a median follow-up of 11 months, all but one patient presented with physiological vaginal length and width, and normal sexual intercourse in those with a partnership.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Perineal flap with partial urogenital mobilization should be considered as a treatment of choice in severe cases of distal vaginal stenosis and after multiple failed former vaginoplasties, while bowel vaginoplasty should be reserved only for cases of complete cicatrization or high located stenosis of the vagina.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS

The strength of this study is the detailed description of several cases while the retrospective character is a limitation.

CONCLUSION

In patients after feminizing genital repair, perineal flap with partial urogenital mobilization provides a normal anatomical outcome and allows unproblematic sexual intercourse. Ellerkamp V, Rall KK, Schaefer J, et al. Surgical Therapy After Failed Feminizing Genitoplasty in Young Adults With Disorders of Sex Development: Retrospective Analysis and Review of the Literature. J Sex Med 2021;18:1797-1806.

Pregnancy Outcomes in 2 Women Born with Complex Anorectal Malformations: Challenges and Considerations

BACKGROUND

Complex anorectal malformations (ARMs) are a group of rare congenital malformations involving numerous anomalies that require reconstruction and can affect sexuality, fertility, and pregnancy outcomes. Few cases of pregnancy in complex ARM patients have been reported.

CASES

We report on 2 patients with ARMs who delivered 3 term infants, all by cesarean section with successful collaboration between pediatric urologists and obstetricians. Both patients fully recovered with no long-term consequences after experiencing maternal morbidities including urinary infections, clitoral abscesses, vaginal lacerations, extensive adhesive disease, bladder injury, and maternal hemorrhage.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

In managing pregnancies and deliveries in women with complex ARMs, coordination between obstetricians, pediatric urologists, and pediatric surgeons is crucial.

Vaginal reconstruction using ileum segment and posterior sagittal anorectoplasty in a patient with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome with anorectal malformations: A case report

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Vaginal agenesis is a complex pediatric condition that lead to long-term urinary, gastrointestinal, and sexual dysfunction.

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A meticulous physical examination and in-depth diagnostic investigations are necessary to determine the appropriate surgical management.

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Reconstruction of neovagina can be retrieved from the ileum.

Vaginal agenesis with anorectal malformations is a complex pediatric condition that adversely affects various physiological processes in the body. It may cause disturbances in defecation and urination, abnormalities in the urinary and gastrointestinal tract, dysfunction of the genital and reproductive organs, and sexual function disorders. The complexity in the surgical management of vaginal agenesis includes the selection of a functional reconstruction technique for anal and vaginal formation, timing of the reconstruction, and management of complications in the associated organ system.

Herein, we describe a patient with Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome accompanied by a rectovesical fistula. Other abnormalities, such as microcephaly, polydactyly, long urethral abnormalities resembling the male urethra, and complications in the kidney and urinary tract, were observed in the patient. The associated complications included recurrent urinary tract infections, urinary overflow incontinence, vesicoureteric reflux, hydroureter, and left renal hydronephrosis. The patient underwent posterior sagittal anorectoplasty surgery and vaginal reconstruction. The long-term vaginal physiological development of patients with this condition remains unknown.