The 70th Workshop for the Surgical Treatment of Anorectal Malformations and Hirschsprung Disease in Children

Next Colorectal Workshop: April 27 to 30, 2026

Led by Alberto Peña, MD, Andrea Bischoff, MD, and Luis De La Torre, MD, renowned pediatric surgeons from the International Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Care at Children's Hospital Colorado, the Surgical Treatment of Anorectal Malformations and Hirschsprung Disease in Children is a four-day intensive workshop. They are also joined by gynecological surgeon Veronica Alaniz, MD, MPH, and urologic surgeons Duncan Wilcox, MD, Kelly Harris, MD, and Daniel Wood, PhD, MBBS. Psychologist Laura Judd-Glossy, PhD, and Kristina Matkins also teach about the psycho-social aspects of treating these anomalies.

There is also a portion of the course designed specifically for nurses and advanced practice providers, which is taught by our team of nurses and advanced practice providers. This course combines our previous Peña Course (for both doctors and nurses) and Hirschsprung Disease Course into one comprehensive program. In this workshop, our surgeons will pass on their decades of experience and knowledge to help nurses, doctors and surgeons provide excellent surgical care and avoid common mistakes associated with these complex colorectal surgeries.

The workshop includes:

• Operative demonstrations with detailed explanation and follow-up discussions
• Discussions on diagnosis, surgery “error-traps,” how to recognize indications for re-operative surgery and post-op management including short- and long-term care and bowel management
• Discussions on management of associated urologic and gynecologic problems
• Learning how to diagnosis fecal incontinence and constipation and the difference in their management
• Reviewing wound and ostomy care techniques for nurses
• Lectures from multidisciplinary specialists in Urology, Gynecology, Radiology, Transition of Care, Psychology and Social Work

This will be the 70th workshop of its kind and is a must for any medical professional passionate about providing the best care for children with colorectal and urogenital conditions. Specifically, the curriculum for this ambitious program focuses on the three most common anorectal malformations facing pediatric surgeons today:

• Male patients with a recto-urethral-bulbar fistula
• Female patients with a recto-vestibular fistula
• Cloaca anomaly with a short channel —less than 3 cm

All these anomalies have the potential for an excellent functional prognosis following a technically correct operation. However, surgeons doing these procedures are also susceptible to technical errors or “error traps” that can be major pitfalls for younger surgeons.

During the workshop, we’ll perform operative demonstrations in the mornings, allowing for time in the afternoons for discussion regarding the diagnosis and perioperative management of patients with anorectal malformations and special emphasis on bowel management. We’ll also point out error traps in great detail during our operative demonstrations so that attendees clearly understand their presence and how important they are to avoid. During these sessions, attendees will learn the importance of having a multidisciplinary team when caring for these patients through lectures from specialists from a range of disciplines.

This year we’re excited to add a day to our course, with no additional cost, a comprehensive surgical and management workshop dedicated to Urology and Hirschsprung disease.

It has been our distinct honor to teach the techniques and principles of an operative procedure to which we have dedicated our entire careers. And it is our sincerest hope that your surgical fellows will allow us to share with them what we have learned over decades of providing compassionate care.

Travel and accommodations

The Rocky Mountains are beautiful in April and access to Denver is usually a direct flight from most cities in the country. Transportation to and from Denver International Airport is easily arranged from several sources including a free shuttle service provided by the Hyatt Hotel located immediately across the street from our hospital. Details for transportation and lodging are available from the registration website.

Lodging and accommodations 

The following hotels may offer a hospital or conference discount:

Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Conference Center
Aurora, CO 80011
303-365-1234

SpringHill Suites Denver-Anschutz Medical Campus
13400 East Colfax Avenue
Aurora, CO 80011
720-859-1100

Drury Inn & Suites
4550 North Central Park Boulevard
Denver, CO 80238
303-373-1983