Patients born with colon diseases and other congenital conditions require lifelong health management to maintain optimal quality of life. Even when abnormalities are surgically corrected at an early age, there are often issues that persist as children grow up, like bowel management, sexual dysfunction, urinary frequency/urgency and pregnancy concerns.

The Colorectal Transitional Care Clinic at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center helps provide care coordination for pediatric patients moving to an adult care setting. We work with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to empower patients to take ownership of their care at a young age — usually 12 years old — so that by the time they reach 16 ⁠– 18 years old, they’re ready to transition to the adult care setting. The clinic also welcomes any adult patient living with colorectal malformations or congenital conditions to help them get back on track with medical regimens and provide long-term care coordination.

Alessandra Gasior, DO, the clinic’s medical director, is the only surgeon in the world who is fellowship trained in both pediatric and adult colorectal surgery, giving her a unique perspective to provide the best clinical options for patients of any age. Dr. Gasior sees patients at Ohio State as well as the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Transitional Care Clinic.

Colon diseases we treat:

• Hirschsprung’s disease (lack of nerves in bottom segment of colon, causing blockage of the intestine)
• Cloaca (single opening for rectum, reproductive and urologic systems)
• Functional constipation
• Other anorectal malformations
• Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis (inflammatory bowel disease)

Causes of colon diseases

Many Americans have colon diseases or one difficulty or another moving their bowels. Many factors can contribute to these issues, including diet, physical activity and genetics. But other causes are unknown for many colon diseases and other colon issues.

Long-term symptoms for patients typically include:

• Fecal incontinence
• Constipation
• Urinary incontinence
• Urinary dysfunction
• Sexual dysfunction
• Fertility issues
• Psychiatric illnesses
• Wound and stoma management

Colon services and treatment options

Our goal is to help patients live as symptom-free as possible. We provide expertise from a multidisciplinary team to meet our patients’ needs.

• Colorectal surgery
• Comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation and management
• Bowel management
• Care coordination

From our experts