ABSTRACT
Many patients with cloacal malformations require assistance to have regular bowel movements even after surgical reconstruction. Bowel Management is an outpatient program used to treat constipation and fecal incontinence. Based on the patient’s anatomy and health history, the provider will select an appropriate treatment modality, either oral stimulant laxatives or a mechanical program (daily rectal or antegrade enemas). The therapy is ideally modified over the course of consecutive visits according to the patient’s clinical response and abdominal radiograph findings. Whether using an oral stimulant laxative or rectal enema washout, the goal of treatment in both cases is to stimulate a daily bowel movement, empty the colon and have the colon remain clean during the time in between.
