The use of pelvic osteotomy in cloacal exstrophy

Cloacal exstrophy is the most severe congenital malformation within the exstrophy spectrum. Its successful treatment requires a dedicated multidisciplinary exstrophy team that includes a pediatric orthopedic surgeon familiar with the exstrophy complex. In 1995, Ben-Chaim et al (1 Urol 1995;154: 865-7) reported an 89% complication rate in those cloacal exstrophy patients closed primarily without a pelvic osteotomy and a 17% complication rate in those closed with an osteotomy. Therefore, the use of pelvic osteotomy is a well-established method of obtaining a successful cloacal exstrophy closure. This article reviews the different options available for pelvic osteotomy and stabilization of the pubic symphysis in patients with cloacal exstrophy. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.