Bladder and Cloacal Exstrophy Program

The Division of Urology at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago has provided care for patients with bladder and cloacal exstrophy since its origin. Our program is led by Earl Cheng, MD, and Elizabeth Yerkes, MD, co-directors of reconstructive pediatric urology at Lurie Children’s. Combining the expertise of multiple surgeons with extensive experience in complex reconstructive genitourinary surgery provides a unique approach to tackle these complex conditions. Our ancillary and nursing staff have the breadth of experience to provide the necessary support for these patients and their families, such as catheterization training. In addition, we partner with other medical and surgical specialists to address all aspects of care as bladder and cloacal exstrophy patients need and deserve comprehensive, experienced, lifelong management.

Our exstrophy team provides care not just at Lurie Children’s but continues through adolescence and adulthood via a unique partnership with Northwestern Memorial Hospital, located just across the street in downtown Chicago. Recognizing the need for personal and uninterrupted care, Diana Bowen, MD, also holds an appointment at Northwestern to provide care that is fluid between both the pediatric and adult environment.

In addition to bridging care between our pediatric and adult hospital environment, we think an essential part of the mission to improve outcomes is collaboration with other pediatric hospitals. In a rare condition such as any type of exstrophy, it is imperative we work together to optimize surgical techniques and long-term medical management. Our collaborative with four other major pediatric institutions (Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, IN; Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN; Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Ohio; and Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH) allows us to combine our collective experience to improve surgical techniques in real-time while also allowing meaningful clinical research to be performed in the long-term.

Learn more about our research