Collection
Functional Colorectal Disorders & Bowel Management
Educational content from recorded physician discussions — not medical advice. Always talk to your child's care team about your child's situation.
Content of this collection
Medical Management2 items
Current Treatment Options for Children with Functional Constipation-What Is in the Pipeline?
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In this review, we summarize current insights into the treatment of functional constipation (FC) in children. Constipation is a global issue in the pediatric population, with a prevalence of approximately 9.5%. Initial management involves a
article · Jul 2026
State of the Art Bowel Management for Pediatric Colorectal Problems: Functional Constipation
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Most of the patients with FC referred for surgical evaluation can be managed conservatively. Further studies are required to determine an optimal strategy of surgical resection in children unresponsive to medical treatment.
article · Jul 2026
Surgical Interventions2 items
Antegrade Continence Enema Alone for the Management of Functional Constipation and Segmental Colonic Dysmotility (ACE-FC): A Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Learning Consortium Study
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In patients with severe functional constipation and documented segmental colonic dysmotility, ACE alone is an effective treatment modality at 1-year follow-up. Patients without pelvic floor dyssynergia on anorectal manometry are more likely
article · Jul 2026
Surgical Interventions for Functional Constipation: An Update
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Chronic idiopathic constipation, also known as functional constipation, is defined as difficult and infrequent defecation without an identifiable organic cause. Medical management with laxatives is effective for the majority of constipated
article · Jul 2026
The majority of constipated patients without congenital reasons (excluding anorectal malformations and Hirschsprung disease) have pelvic floor dysfunction. — Jason Fisher, Colorectal Quiz: Episode 45 - Pelvic Floor Dyssynergia · 5:44
Colorectal Quiz: Episode 45 - Pelvic Floor Dyssynergia
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In this engaging episode of the Colorectal Quiz, Drs. Marc Levitt, Jason Frischer, and Erin Teeple dive into the complexities of pelvic floor dyssynergia, an often under-recognized condition impacting bowel and urinary function. Dr. Teeple,
video18:33 · Jul 2026
For mechanical bowel management, enemas/flushes must be given at the same time every day so that adjustments to components can be made based on consistent colonic filling patterns. — Julie, APSP Online Webinar | Marc Levitt & team | Bowel Management Program for Fecal incontinence · 25:28
APSP Online Webinar | Marc Levitt & team | Bowel Management Program for Fecal incontinence
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Association of Pediatric Surgeons of Pakistan (APSP) Online Webinar
Speakers: Marc Levitt, Katherine Worst, Julie Margaret
(Children's National Hospital, Washington DC)
Topic: Bowel Management Program for Fecal incontinence
video1:10:34 · Jul 2026
Medical teams should triangulate multiple AI platforms, using the intelligence of one with the audio of another and video of another to create the best product — Todd Ponsky, Colorectal Quiz: Episode 49 – Collaborating for Kids: Colorectal & Pelvic Care (with Help from AI) · 8:11
Fluorescence Angiography1 item
Preliminary Use of Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Angiography and Value in Predicting the Vascular Supply of Tissues Needed to Perform Cloacal, Anorectal Malformation, and Hirschsprung Reconstructions
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ICG-FA correctly identified patients who might have developed a complication from poor tissue perfusion. Employing this technology to assess rectal or neovaginal pull-throughs in cloacal reconstructions, complex HD, and ARM cases may be a v
article · Jul 2026
AI in Medical Education2 items
Colorectal Quiz: Episode 49 – Collaborating for Kids: Colorectal & Pelvic Care (with Help from AI)
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In this special episode of the Colorectal Quiz, Drs. Marc Levitt and Jason Frischer are joined by Drs. Todd Ponsky and Em Gootee for a behind-the-scenes look at how AI is supporting medical education. The topic of this quiz: Collaborating f
video40:41 · Jul 2026
Colorectal Quiz: Episode 49 - Collaborating for Kids: Colorectal & Pelvic Solutions (with a Little Help from AI)
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Colorectal Quiz: Episode 49 - Collaborating for Kids: Colorectal & Pelvic Solutions (with a Little Help from AI) | Podcast Episode on RSS.com Sign up free Features Resources Pricing Podcasts Sign up free Sign In Stay Current in Pediatric Su
podcast40:45 · Jul 2026
Dilation and sending baby home is a suboptimal choice in a baby with no cardiac defect, but might be a good choice in a baby you don't want to take to the OR. — Marc Levitt, Colorectal Quiz Episode 32: Anorectal Malformations And Cardiac Anomalies · 6:03
Collaborative Models3 items
Patient driven change: Is collaborative care the future of medicine?
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A basic premise in the care of complex patients is that experience, increased volume of cases, and an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach yields improved outcomes. Is this true using the example of the care of children with colorectal a
article · Feb 2023
Colorectal Quiz: Episode 43
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In this episode of the Colorectal Quiz, Drs. Marc Levitt and Jason Frischer are joined by Drs. Jeffrey Avansino and Hira Ahmad to discuss the nuances of the Mal
podcast23:29 · Jul 2026
Colorectal Quiz Episode 32: Anorectal Malformations And Cardiac Anomalies
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Podcast Episode · Stay Current in Pediatric Surgery · May 30, 2022 · 17m
podcast16:18 · Jul 2026
Global Health & Medical Missions1 item
Quality outcomes for pediatric colorectal surgery treated during short-term international medical service trips at a dedicated site in Honduras
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AbstractIntroductionShort-term international medical service trips (MSTs) provide specialized care in resource-constrained countries. There are limited data on immediate and long-term reported outcomes following specialty MST. We hypothesiz
article · Jul 2020
In general, you want to keep the rectum in ARM patients because the rectum is vital for bowel control. Colorectal Quiz: Episode 47 · 11:53
Colorectal Quiz Podcast Series1 item
Colorectal Quiz: Episode 47
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In this episode of the Colorectal Quiz, Drs. Marc Levitt, Jason Frischer, and special guests Dr. Chris Gayer and Dr. Sarah Ulrich tackle the complexities of man
podcast22:19 · Jul 2026
Literature Reviews1 item
Quick Literature Updates Episode 14
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We’re back with fourteenth episode of "Quick Literature Updates" the podcast series that delivers the latest updates in pediatric surgery literature in a quick and digestible format. In each episode, we review articles covering the most int
video4:46 · Dec 2023
Fellowship Training1 item
A pediatric colorectal and pelvic reconstruction course improves content exposure for pediatric surgery fellows: a three-year consecutive study
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AbstractPurposeInteractive courses play an important role in meeting the educational needs of pediatric surgical trainees. We investigated the impact of a multimodal pediatric colorectal and pelvic reconstruction course on pediatric surgery
article · Feb 2021
Historical Perspectives1 item
The Story of Dr. Asa G. Yancey and Surgical Innovation in the Face of Discrimination
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Here, we provide a historical review of Yancey's career as well as insights on the man behind the surgery and how he persevered in academic surgery despite experiencing discrimination during the civil rights movement.
article · Jul 2026
Featured picks for families are being prepared — the summaries above are written for you.
Expert statements from the recordings in this collection.
Quick Literature Updates Episode 14
The study by Ahmad et al. examined 384 females with anorectal malformations using the Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Learning Consortium database.
Host summaryEllen Encisco summarizes what Dr. Alex Halpern said — not the host's own clinical position1:03
About 27% of patients with anorectal malformations had a gynecologic anomaly.
Host summaryEllen Encisco summarizes what Dr. Alex Halpern said — not the host's own clinical position1:22
About 46% of females with anorectal malformations had VACTERL association, defined as having the anorectal malformation plus two of: vertebral, cardiac, tracheoesophageal, renal, or limb anomaly.
Host summaryEllen Encisco summarizes what Dr. Alex Halpern said — not the host's own clinical position1:22
Having VACTERL association was associated with more gynecologic anomalies compared to patients without VACTERL association.
Host summaryEllen Encisco summarizes what Dr. Alex Halpern said — not the host's own clinical position1:39
The association between VACTERL and gynecologic anomalies was especially true when renal anomalies were found.
Host summaryEllen Encisco summarizes what Dr. Alex Halpern said — not the host's own clinical position1:49
The association between VACTERL and gynecologic anomalies was especially true when patients had recto vestibular or rectal perineal fistulas.
Host summaryEllen Encisco summarizes what Dr. Alex Halpern said — not the host's own clinical position1:49
For females with anorectal malformations and VACTERL association, especially renal anomalies, clinicians should look carefully for gynecologic anomalies.
Host summaryEllen Encisco summarizes what Dr. Alex Halpern said — not the host's own clinical position1:57
Thoracic epidural and intercostal nerve cryoablation are two options for pain control in patients undergoing a Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum.
Dr. Tsai and his team from Penn State conducted a retrospective chart review of kids who underwent Nuss procedure between 2002 and 2020, comparing outcomes and costs of intercostal nerve cryoablation and epidural.
The intercostal nerve cryoablation group had lower rates of PCA use compared to thoracic epidural.
The intercostal nerve cryoablation group had lower total morphine milligram equivalent requirement compared to thoracic epidural.
The intercostal nerve cryoablation group had shorter length of stay in the hospital compared to thoracic epidural.
The intercostal nerve cryoablation group had longer operative times compared to thoracic epidural.
The intercostal nerve cryoablation group had higher total hospitalization cost compared to thoracic epidural.
Both intercostal nerve cryoablation and thoracic epidural have pros and cons, with cryoablation showing decreased total opioid use and decreased length of stay but increased operating room times and increased total cost.
The Bokova et al. study is a multi-institutional one-year outcome study of anal sphincter reconstruction for patulous sphincter in 6 patients.
Host summaryCecilia Gigena summarizes what Dr. Alex Halpern said — not the host's own clinical position3:48
Of the 6 patients in the sphincter reconstruction study, 2 had Down syndrome and underwent redo pull-through with anal sphincter reconstruction.
Host summaryCecilia Gigena summarizes what Dr. Alex Halpern said — not the host's own clinical position4:00
Four patients in the sphincter reconstruction study received only anal sphincter reconstruction without redo pull-through.
Host summaryCecilia Gigena summarizes what Dr. Alex Halpern said — not the host's own clinical position4:00
The 4 patients who received only anal sphincter reconstruction achieved voluntary bowel movements with higher productivity and confidence.
Host summaryCecilia Gigena summarizes what Dr. Alex Halpern said — not the host's own clinical position4:12
Anal sphincter reconstruction appears to be an option for overstretched anal sphincters in patients with Hirschsprung disease after a pull-through.
Host summaryCecilia Gigena summarizes what Dr. Alex Halpern said — not the host's own clinical position4:12
Colorectal Quiz: Episode 49 - Collaborating for Kids: Colorectal & Pelvic Solutions (with a Little Help from AI)
NotebookLM is a free offering from Google that can upload any content and create a realistic-sounding podcast between two people.
Todd Ponsky1:18
NotebookLM creates an expert from only the provided document, not pulling information from external sources like other chatbots.
Marc Levitt5:47
A review article that took two weeks to produce five years ago can now be created in minutes using NotebookLM with the same 30 source articles.
Todd Ponsky6:39
NotebookLM can identify gaps in knowledge across multiple research articles and recognize when new articles fill those gaps.
Todd Ponsky7:30
Colorectal and pelvic disorders in children are often intricate and can have effects that last their entire lives, frequently involving a network of connected issues across digestive, urinary, reproductive, and sometimes musculoskeletal systems.
Conditions requiring multidisciplinary approach include anorectal malformations (ARM), Hirschsprung disease, severe constipation caused by colonic motility issues, and neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction often seen in children with spina bifida.
The initial driving forces behind colorectal programs are often strong focus, genuine passion, and deep interest from key people combined with solid work ethic, with detailed knowledge growing over time.
A dedicated physician leader, most often a pediatric surgeon, is necessary who has genuine interest, commitment to long-term care, and clear vision for improving colorectal care quality.
The program leader must understand the local healthcare landscape, assess genuine need, evaluate feasibility given existing services, and identify underserved patient populations before building.
Initial essential specialties for a colorectal program include general surgery, urology, gynecology, GI motility specialist, and critically, a dedicated nursing team.