A Review of Diagnosis and Management: Persistent Cloaca Treated by a Posterior Sagittal Approach With a Normal Functional Outcome

Abstract

Cloacal malformation (CM) is a severe, complex, and extremely rare category of anorectal and urogenital tract malformations. Prenatal diagnosis is illusory and vague; therefore, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most effective test point toward an accurate diagnosis. Thus, careful investigation and evaluation are mandatory since they could be associated with syndromes and other anomalies, including urogenital tract, vertebral, and cord abnormalities. Despite the severity and complexity of the deformity, CM cases are curable, not desperate, and can have an excellent prognosis with great surgical correction. However, managing persistent cloaca necessitates a careful assessment because corrective surgeries require inclusive surgical planning, multidisciplinary, expert, and highly specialized medical center. In surgically repaired malformations, fecal and urinary incontinence has been a major issue, which was resolved when Dr. Pena Alberto suggested safer dissection and less harmful techniques for neurovascular structures and great functional corrected anomaly to ensure fertility and less incontinence. For improved results and prognosis on quality of life, patients should be scheduled for extended bowel training along with the clinical evaluation follow-up. In this article, we present a case successfully treated with the posterior sagittal approach, Pena operation, and anorecto-vagino-urethroplasty with feminizing clitoroplasty and highlight the value and impact of prenatal evaluation, diagnosis, and management. The rarity of the case and excellent results, including fair to normal bowel and urinary control, prompted us to report it and assert the significance of assessment, surgical management and technique, challenges, postoperative bowel training, and clinical investigation and examination.