ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the key principles in the management of complex pediatric colorectal diagnoses. It provides case-based presentations, radiographic images, operative images with multiple choice questions to test knowledge. The chapter presents a case study of an 11-year-old female with a past medical history of spina bifida. She is continent of urine, and voids spontaneously. These facts are encouraging for her potential to also have fecal continence. She developed significant constipation at the age of 9 years and was found to have tethering of the spinal cord, which has been released. She attends the bowel management program for constipation and soiling. The colon is non-dilated and there is no evidence of a redundant rectosigmoid. The non-dilatation is likely due to poor innervation. The colon can still be hypomotile. This child has the potential for bowel control, but the exact status is currently unknown following her tethered cord release.
