Traumatic cloaca refers to a perineal injury in women and is characterized by disruption of the perineal body, division of the internal and external anal sphincter anteriorly as well as loss of the distal recto-vaginal septum.

This videotape uses a combination of surgical diagrams and intraoperative video to demonstrate a step-by-step approach to the treatment of the rare condition of traumatic cloaca. The anatomy and surgical technique are discussed in detail. The main technical teaching point during this video presentation are the following: 1) Patient selection and work-up; 2) Complete dissection of the recto-vaginal septum and its separation from the rectal and vaginal walls; 3) Identification and adequate mobilization of the divided external sphincter; 4) Anterior levatorplasty; 5) Overlapping spincteroplasty; and 6) Skin closure.