Cloacal exstrophy

Abstract

Cloacal exstrophy is a rare and complex malformation that affects between 1 in 200,000 and 1 in 400,000 live births. Despite its complexity, survival is expected; and instead, management is focused on patient outcomes and the achievement of an optimal quality of life. This has been born out in the last 3 decades where the shift for improving the quality of life has included appropriate gender assignment, independence from stoma appliances, and improved physical and social independence and mobility. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.