Cloacal Exstrophy: A History of Gender Reassignment

Updates on the Care of Cloacal Exstrophy

Cloacal exstrophy is the most severe congenital anomaly of the exstrophy-epispadias complex and is characterized by gastrointestinal, genitourinary, neurospinal, and musculoskeletal malformations. Individualized surgical reconstruction by a multidisciplinary team is required for these complex patients. Not infrequently, patients need staged surgical procedures throughout childhood and adolescence. Following significant improvements in medical care and surgical reconstructive techniques, nearly all patients with cloacal exstrophy now survive, leading to an increased emphasis on quality of life. Increased attention is given to gender identity and the implications of reconstructive decisions. Long-term sequelae of cloacal exstrophy, including functional continence and sexual dysfunction, are recognized, and many patients require ongoing complex care into adulthood.

The dual-staged pathway for closure in cloacal exstrophy: Successful evolution in collaborative surgical practice

INTRODUCTION

A successful abdominal wall and bladder closure is critical in the management of cloacal exstrophy (CE). This study examines closure outcomes and practices over the last 4 decades at the authors' institution. Beginning in 1995, the authors' institution standardized CE closure and management with the Dual-Staged Pathway (DSP). The DSP consists of a staged bladder closure, a staged or concurrent osteotomy, and postoperative immobilization with external fixation. The authors hypothesize that the DSP has provided better outcomes in CE closures.

METHODS

A prospective database of 1332 Exstrophy-Epispadias Complex (EEC) patients was reviewed for CE patients closed between 1975 and 2015. The DSP consists of a staged osteotomy and a staged bladder closure in CE patients with a diastasis greater than 4 cm. To evaluate the DSP, outcomes of closure at the authors' institution were compared between two equal, twenty-year periods before and after its implementation. Data on timing of closure, postoperative management, surgical complications, and outcomes were collected.

RESULTS

There are 142 CE patients in the database. In this study, 49 CE patients with 50 closures met inclusion criteria. The overall success rate of closures from 1975 to 1994 was 88% (14 of 16), while the success rate of the DSP was 100% (n = 34), p = 0.098. Twenty-two (65%) primary and 12 (35%) secondary closures were performed using the DSP. Overall complication rates of the DSP remained similar to previous closures, (29% vs 19%, p = 0.508). Since incorporation of the DSP, patients referred for closure have generally had a larger preclosure diastasis (7.2 cm vs 5.1 cm, p = 0.011).

CONCLUSION

The standardized DSP closure has proven successful in 34 primary and reoperative cloacal closures in the past 20 years. With this approach, the authors feel that the DSP offers greater patient safety and better outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Controversies of Sex Re-assignment in Genetic Males with Congenital Inadequacy of the Penis

Sex assignment in 46XY genetic male children with congenital inadequacy of the penis (CIP) is controversial. Traditionally, children with penile length less than 2 cm at birth are considered unsuitable to be raised as males. They are typically re-assigned to female-sex and feminizing genitoplasty is usually done in infancy. However, the concept of cerebral androgen imprinting has caused paradigm shift in the philosophy of sex re-assignment. Masculinization of the brain, rather than length of the penis, is the modern criterion of sex re-assignment in CIP. This review summarizes the current understanding of the complex issue. In 46XY children with CIP, male-sex assignment appears appropriate in non-hormonal conditions such as idiopathic micropenis, aphallia and exstrophy. Female-sex re-assignment appears acceptable in complete androgen insensitivity (CAIS), while partial androgen insensitivity syndrome (PAIS) patients are highly dissatisfied with the assignment of either sex. Children with 5-alpha reductase deficiency are likely to have spontaneous penile lengthening at puberty. Hence, they are better raised as males. Although female assignment is common in pure gonadal dysgenesis, long-term results are not known to justify the decision.