HYDROCOLPOS DRAINAGE IN CLOACA

Contributors: Andrea Bischoff, MD

A video was recorded highlighting the important technical details of hydrocolpos drainage in two cloaca patients that had previously underwent a colostomy opening and were left with an undrained hydrocolpos. In one patient, a vesicostomy was also previously performed in an attempt to drain the hydrocolpos, which in retrospect was unnecessary.With an infra-umbilical midline laparotomy or with a left lower quadrant oblique incision used for the colostomy opening, the hydrocolpos can be found behind the bladder. When opening the posterior vaginal wall at the dome, special emphasis should be placed on identification and protection of the uterus. When two hemivaginas are present a window can be created within the vaginal septum to allow for a single tube to drain both hemivaginas. The draining tube should remain in place until the time of the definitive cloacal reconstruction.