Use of a circular stapler for the surgical treatment of Hirschsprung's disease

Thirteen patients, 10 with classical Hirschsprung's disease and 3 with total colonic aganglionosis, were operated upon by anterior resection (11 cases) or pull-through (2 cases) and the anastomosis was constructed with a circular stapler. The age at operation ranged from 9 months to 17 years (median 17 months). A very low resection was obtained, with the level of anastomosis less than 2 cm from the dentate line. The anastomosis was covered by a temporary enterostomy in all but 2 patients. One dorsal anastomotic leak was demonstrated at radiological follow-up. No further anastomotic complications were observed, and all enterostomies were closed within 10 weeks post-resection. The use of a circular stapler is recommended as a modification of the Rehbein operation or the Swenson pull-through.