The use of rotational fluoroscopy and 3-D reconstruction in the diagnosis and surgical planning for complex cloacal malformations.

Introduction: Cloacal malformations, a confluence of the urinary tract, vagina and rectum into a single common channel, has a broad and complex anatomic spectrum requiring an imaging tool for visualization, measurement, and surgical planning for the reconstruction of these structures. We evaluated the role of 3-D fluoroscopy for this purpose, as it offers a combination of spatial correlation with precise anatomic measurements.

Methods: We examined our imaging protocol for patients with a cloacal malformation and report our experience with rotational fluoroscopy and 3-D reconstruction in 16 consecutive patients referred for cloacal reconstruction.

Can sacral development as a marker for caudal regression help identify associated urologic anomalies in patients with anorectal malformation?

Background And Aim: The sacral ratio (SR) is a well-established tool to quantify sacral development in patients with anorectal malformations (ARM) and can be used as a predictor of fecal continence. We hypothesized that a lower SR correlated with the presence of urologic and renal malformations.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with ARM treated at our center from 2014 to 2016.

Are Senna based laxatives safe when used as long term treatment for constipation in children?

Background And Aim: Senna is a stimulant laxative commonly used by pediatricians, pediatric gastroenterologists, and pediatric surgeons. Many clinicians avoid Senna for reasons such as tolerance or side effects but this has little scientific justification. We recently found several patients we were caring for developed perineal blistering during the course of Senna treatment.

Does clinic visit education within a multidisciplinary center improve health literacy scores in caregivers of children with complex colorectal conditions?

Introduction: Health literacy is low in an estimated one-third of the US population. Little is known about the health literacy of caregivers of children with colorectal conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate whether a timed health literacy intervention could improve health literacy in this population.