title: Cloacal exstrophy.
abstract: Cloacal exstrophy is an extremely rare and devastating complex of congenital abnormalities resulting in multiple debilitating morbidities. Infants with this disorder require numerous surgical interventions to repair gastrointestinal, genitourinary, spinal, and orthopedic malformations. Treatment involves the combined efforts of many medical and nursing specialists. This article discusses the embryology, clinical presentation, and management (both early and long term) of cloacal exstrophy, with emphasis on gender reassignment issues and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Children's and Women's Health Center of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. sjhhv2@umkc.edu
authors.forename: Susanne Jane
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hyun
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000196:embryology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D000367:Age Factors; D001006:Anus, Imperforate / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000196:embryology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D001746:Bladder Exstrophy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000196:embryology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D001828:Body Image; D002988:Cloaca / Q000002:abnormalities*; D003125:Colostomy; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D006801:Humans; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010027:Osteotomy; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D002666:Psychology, Child; D011788:Quality of Life; D035583:Rare Diseases; D014143:Traction; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal