Genitourinary Malformation Treatments

Genitourinary malformations affect the bladder and nearby structures. Some conditions affect the urethra, vagina or penis. These conditions cause frequent accidents and other issues that complicate daily life. Specialized care from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles can bring your child and family a healthy, more joyful future.

We are the only colorectal and pelvic anomalies team in the Western U.S. with pediatric urologists. Their expertise, along with years of experience, makes it possible to treat malformations with high success rates.

Genitourinary Malformation Treatments: Why Choose Us

Genitourinary malformation treatments include nonsurgical and surgical therapies that improve quality of life. We optimize pelvic organ function, making it possible for children to feel more self-confident.

Highlights of our program include:

  • Expertise: Your child receives care from pediatric urologists with extra training through fellowships. These specialists deliver sophisticated treatments, including cloaca repair and bladder exstrophy surgery. Read more about our nationally ranked Pediatric Urology services.
  • Coordinated care: Some genitourinary malformations affect the bladder and bowel. It takes an experienced team to manage these conditions, which you’ll find at Children’s Hospital. Our experts regularly treat these issues. We offer all the treatments and support your child may need. Explore the colorectal and pelvic anomalies we treat.
  • Team approach: Urologists, general surgeons, pediatricians and gastroenterologists work together to tailor treatments. The team also includes pediatric urologic psychologists, nutritionists, social workers and specially trained nurse practitioners and nurses. These specialists help children cope with the challenges of living with genitourinary malformations. Meet our team.
  • Range of therapies: Most children achieve symptom relief without surgery. When surgery is necessary, your child has access to innovative options. We are among the nation’s few pediatric urology programs offering robotic surgery. Robotic technologies enable experts to deliver precise care through small incisions. Explore minimally invasive and robotic urology surgery.

Genitourinary Malformation Prenatal Consultations

Some malformations, such as bladder exstrophy, are present before a child is born. Working alongside the hospital’s Fetal-Maternal Center, we offer expecting parents pediatric urology virtual consultations.

We explain the diagnosis and provide treatment recommendations. Consultations relieve parents’ stress and uncertainty. They also enable babies to receive timely care after birth.

Nonsurgical Urologic Treatments

Care plans often include one or more nonsurgical treatments. Many of these services are available through our Voiding Improvement Program.

Offerings include:

  • Biofeedback: We use a special computer to improve awareness of muscles controlling bladder function. Therapy often uses gaming technology to help children relax and make treatments fun.
  • Urodynamics: We use this test to help assess how well the bladder stores and empties urine.
  • Self-catheterization: We teach your child how to safely use a thin tube (catheter) to empty the bladder.
  • Medications: Treatment may include drugs, such as Botox®, that calm overactive bladder muscles. Other medications allow to the bladder to stretch and hold more urine.  
  • Pelvic floor physical therapy: We use exercises and breathing techniques to improve bladder control. Find out more about pelvic floor physical therapy for children.

Surgery for Genitourinary Malformations

Pediatric urologists offer a variety of surgical procedures for genitourinary malformations.

Your child’s care may include:

  • Bladder augmentation (cystoplasty), which makes the bladder bigger.
  • Bladder outlet surgery, which may consist of:
    • Bladder neck reconstruction, which narrows the bladder opening (urethra)
    • Bladder sling surgery, which helps the urethra stay closed until it’s time to urinate
  • Cloaca repair, which creates separate openings for the anus, urethra and vagina. We collaborate with colorectal anomaly surgeons to perform the genitourinary and rectal repairs during a single procedure.
  • Mitrofanoff procedure, which allows urine from the bladder to empty through an opening in or near the belly button.
  • Reconstructive surgery, which repairs or replaces urinary tract structures. Learn more about complex pediatric reconstructive urology surgery.

Comprehensive Colorectal and Pelvic Anomaly Care for Children

We offer access to multiple pediatric subspecialists in one convenient location in Los Angeles. Find out more about our Colorectal Center.

Contact Us

To schedule an appointment with a colorectal and pelvic anomaly specialist, call 323-361-5711.