Posterior cloaca: a unique defect.

Abstract

The authors present nine cases of a unique defect in which urethra and vagina are fused together forming a urogenital sinus that deviates posteriorly and opens in the anterior rectal wall at the anus or immediately anterior to it. The rectum is essentially normal or may be minimally anteriorly mislocated. The authors call this defect posterior cloaca. The diagnosis requires a suspicious observer and a meticulous examination of the female genitalia. A complete urologic evaluation is mandatory because 88% of these patients have important associated urologic defects. Our patients were operated on via a posterior sagittal transanorectal approach, which allowed a full dissection and mobilization of urethra and vagina together to be placed in a normal location. Rectal dissection and mobilization was avoided to preserve bowel control. Seven patients enjoy bowel and urinary control. One patient was lost to follow-up, and one patient with a severely dysplastic sacrum suffers from fecal and urinary incontinence.