Colorectal and Pelvic Center

Complex colorectal and pelvic conditions happen when a baby’s intestines and pelvic organs don’t form properly. These children need advanced surgery so they can pass stool (poop) and some may require more than one surgery. Many children with colorectal and pelvic conditions may also have problems with their urinary system or their reproductive organs that need to be addressed. Children's Health℠ is the only pediatric hospital in North Texas with a program dedicated to advanced care for children with these conditions.

At the Colorectal and Pelvic Center (CPC), we do reconstructive surgery to repair even the most complex conditions. Your child receives care from a nationally ranked team with experience in the latest surgical techniques for colorectal and pelvic conditions. Our program brings together specialists in the digestive system, the urinary tract, and the reproductive system. We work as a team to tailor a care plan for your child.

Specialized care for newborns

Many babies with these conditions need surgery soon after they’re born. We’re experienced in surgical techniques for even the youngest and smallest newborns. We work closely with our neonatology team (providers who specialize in newborn care) to make sure babies and their families have the care and support they need.

For some babies, we can repair the condition in one operation. If your baby has other conditions, or has a more complex defect, we’ll do surgery in stages. This approach lets your child recover and grow before the next step in their treatment.

Multispecialty team for focused expertise

Our team includes specialists from several areas of medicine who work together to create a personalized care plan for your child. Our comprehensive approach means that your child receives all their care under one roof – often in a single visit.

Our colorectal and pelvic pediatric specialists include:

• Surgeons with special expertise in the repair of these conditions

• Gastroenterologists who treat any digestive and motility problems your child may have

• Urologists who care for issues related to your child’s urinary system

• Gynecologists who care for sexual and reproductive issues in girls

• Nurse Practitioners to coordinate an individualized bowel management program

• Nutritionists who design a diet that helps patients manage their condition and achieve optimal growth

• Psychologists who help children and parents cope with stressful issues

• Child Life Specialists who help ease anxiety and fear

• Social Workers who provide support and resources in times of need

• Pelvic Floor Therapists who offer treatment plans to assist with bowel and bladder dysfunction

Continuing care throughout childhood and the teen years

Children who have these complex conditions may need multiple surgeries and years of follow-up care. That’s why we provide ongoing care to support children from infancy through young adulthood. We also perform revisional surgeries for children who may benefit from them. Together with families, our team delivers the right care at the right time for children.

As they grow up, the children we care for often have trouble with constipation and stool accidents. Our Bowel Management Program is designed especially for children who have colorectal and pelvic conditions. We’re here to help your child play and go to school without being held back by worries or health problems.

In the program, our team creates a plan for each child to help manage bowel symptoms. We give you tips on what to feed your child and how to help your child use the toilet.

We’ll see your child regularly for many years so we can monitor their health. We’ll adjust their care plan to fit their changing bodies and lifestyles.