Outcomes following repair of traumatic cloacal deformities.

BACKGROUND: Severe obstetric injury can result in a defect similar to a congenital cloacal deformity, with associated faecal incontinence and sexual dysfunction. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of surgical repair of such injuries. METHODS: Patients were identified retrospectively from hospital records. Long-term follow-up data were collected by telephone interview. RESULTS: Outcomes in 31 consecutive patients seen over a 14-year period were reviewed. An overlapping external sphincter repair, with repair of the anorectum and vagina, was performed in 29 patients. Detailed long-term follow-up data were available for 20 patients at a median of 5 years after surgery. Three patients had a stoma at presentation. Surgical repair reduced incontinence to solid stool from seven of 17 to none of 20 patients, to liquid stool from 14 of 17 to ten of 20, and to flatus from 17 of 17 to 12 of 20. Nine patients reported improvement in sexual function. CONCLUSION: Surgical repair of a cloacal injury is associated with significant improvements in faecal incontinence and sexual function. Outcomes are similar to those seen with repair of less severe injuries, and may be maintained in the long term.