Quebec’s first Colorectal Centre of Excellence opens its doors

The Montreal Children's Hospital (MCH) of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is proud to announce the opening of its new Colorectal Centre of Excellence, the first in Quebec to offer complex digestive and pelvic reconstructive surgeries. 

Every year in Canada, some 150 children are born with a life-altering condition that prevents them from doing what most take for granted: empty our bowels. These newborns require urgent surgery to address their condition.

Approximately 2,000 Canadians under the age of 18 currently live with Hirschsprung's disease or anorectal malformations. For many of these young patients, the challenges extend far beyond their initial surgery. As they grow, they often face incontinence, which profoundly affects their social integration, mental health and sense of dignity. This ongoing struggle impacts every aspect of their lives, from school and friendships to self-esteem and overall well-being.

For these children, simple joys like field trips or sleepovers become complex challenges, fraught with potential embarrassment. Parents watch helplessly as their children withdraw from activities, their confidence eroding.

While medication and pelvic physiotherapy benefit many patients, those with severe conditions often face persistent challenges. In the United States, specialized centres have emerged as a solution, offering complex reconstructive surgeries and comprehensive bowel management programs. These centres feature multidisciplinary teams comprising colorectal surgeons, urologists, gynecologists, gastroenterologists and specialized nurses to provide cutting-edge treatments for children with the most complex problems. Until now, Quebec lacked such a specialized facility. To address this critical need, today the MCH opens its Colorectal Centre of Excellence (COCOE).

"While colorectal disorders affect just as many children as well-known conditions like cystic fibrosis, they are rarely discussed due to the stigma surrounding bowel issues. These conditions profoundly impact a child's dignity and quality of life, but many families suffer in silence. Today, we're breaking that silence. I'm thrilled to announce the opening of a specialized centre that will transform the lives of these brave children and their families," says Dr. Hussein Wissanji, pediatric colorectal and general surgeon at the Montreal Children's Hospital and founder of the project.

“The MUHC and its community comprises people who understand that innovations, such as the Colorectal Centre of Excellence of the Montreal Children’s Hospital, are vital to the goal of providing the best care and services to patients and their families,” adds MUHC President and Executive Director Dr. Lucie Opatrny. “It is an honour and a privilege to support their ideas and dedication, as well as to recognize their generosity.”

The MCH’s Colorectal Centre of Excellence will set new standards for pediatric colorectal care in Quebec, improving the lives of families and children living with anorectal malformations or Hirschsprung’s disease. Its mission is to:

• Offer outstanding, compassionate clinical care using a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach;
• Investigate and improve outcomes for children with  colorectal diseases, focusing on patient and family experiences;
• Provide medical education for patients, families and communities, and provide training for healthcare practitioners and professional development programs.

The Colorectal Centre of Excellence joins the many other specialized surgical clinics offered by the MCH’s Pediatric General Surgery Division.

Convincing results

Nationwide Children’s Hospital in the United States studied the impact of opening a colorectal care centre and noted several benefits:

• 66 per cent reduction in the number of surgeries patients undergo by combining multiple interventions by different surgeons during the same procedure;
• 20 per cent reduction in length of hospital stays by standardizing care and decreasing complications;
• 50 per cent reduction in post-surgical hospital visits (including emergency visits) thanks to improved care coordination.

“When we learned about the physical and mental distress endured by children and teens with untreated or undertreated colorectal disorders, The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation knew it had to move the Colorectal Centre of Excellence from idea to reality. Like many innovative projects launched by the hospital, the centre is funded solely by The Children’s Foundation. I sincerely thank the numerous donors supporting this important project, particularly lead donors - Opération Enfant Soleil and the R. Howard Webster Foundation - who have helped launch this project. We are confident more donors and partners will step up to help us reach our goal and, more importantly, provide life-changing care to the children who need it most. Thank you for helping us find Unexpected Ways to Heal,” says Renée Vézina, President of The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation.