腹腔镜辅助改良Soave术治疗成人先天性巨结肠症

目的 评价腹腔镜辅助改良Soave术治疗成人先天性巨结肠症（HD）的临床价值.方法 回顾性分析华中科技大学同济医学院附属协和医院2005年3月至2009年12月间行腹腔镜辅助改良Soave术的28例术前诊断为成人HD患者的临床资料.结果 本组28例患者均成功实施了腹腔镜辅助改良Soave术,无中转开腹.手术时间135～185（165±12）min,术中出血量50～250 ml,无一例术中输血.术后病理诊断示：19例符合HD,9例符合先天性巨结肠类缘病.术后直肠肌鞘感染2例,肛门口轻度污粪3例,平均住院时间（17.5±1.0）d.术后随访无排粪失禁及便秘复发.结论 腹腔镜辅助改良Soave术治疗成人HD安全、有效.     

Endorectal pull-through with posterior sagittal approach to the repair of postoperative rectourethral and rectovaginal fistula

Background/purpose: Rectourethral (RUF) or rectovaginal fistula (RVF) is a troublesome complication after anorectal surgery because of dense adhesions around the fistula. The authors applied a new technique for the redo surgery.Methods: Case 1 is Hirschsprung’s disease in a 1-year-old boy who underwent modified Duhamel’s procedure and had RUF. Case 2 is rectovestibular fistula in an 11-year-old girl who had anterior sagittal anorectoplasty complicated by RVF. Case 3 is multiple urogenital anomalies including rectovesical fistula in a 4-year-old boy in whom transvesical repair was unsuccessful. The colon was mobilized as far as possible at laparotomy. The rectum was opened via a posterior sagittal approach leaving 1 cm of the anal canal. Extended endorectal mucosectomy was performed to the dentate line, and the fistula was closed from inside of the rectum. The remaining mucosal cuff was everted out of the anus and the intact colon was pulled through the rectum and anastomosed to the cuff extraanally.Results: The postoperative contrast enema showed no recurrent fistula, and defecation was not impaired.Conclusions: Endorectal pull-through of the intact colon can spare troublesome mobilization of the fistula and can prevent the recurrence of fistula. Rectal incision via a posterior sagittal approach provides a direct view of the fistula.     

Stooling patterns and colonic motility after transanal one-stage pull-through operation for Hirschsprung's disease in children

Background

The transanal one-stage endorectal pull-through operation for Hirschsprung's disease is relatively new and makes assessment of the functional outcome and colonic motility difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stooling patterns and colonic motility after a one-stage transanal pull-through operation for Hirschsprung's disease in children.

Methods

Twenty-two children who underwent a one-stage transanal pull-through operation for Hirschsprung's disease were followed up for at least 6 months. The children (17 boys and 5 girls) were from 12 months to 13 years of age (mean age, 4 years). All patients had an aganglionic segment confined to the rectosigmoid area (confirmed by preoperative barium enema and postoperative histology). Clinical outcome was assessed by interviews and questionnaires, and children were divided into symptomatic and nonsymptomatic groups. Contrast barium enema and defecography and determination of total and segmental colonic transit time (using radio-opaque markers) were performed on all 22 children.

Results

The stooling patterns were considered satisfactory in 17 children. Of all the children, the mean stool times were 1 to 2 per day and only 2 were 8 to 10 per day; postoperative soiling was found in 4, constipation was observed in 2, and Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis in 1. There was no incontinence, cuff infection, anastomotic leak, or mortality noted. Barium enema showed that the dilated and spastic colonic segment disappeared in all 22 children. The dilated sigmoid loops decreased in 17 (2 symptomatic, 15 nonsymptomatic) and disappeared in 5 (4 symptomatic, 1 nonsymptomatic). There was a significant difference between the decreasing and disappearing loop group in regard to stooling disorders (P < .05). Postoperative defecography showed that the anorectal angle of all children was open, fixed, and significantly larger than that of the preoperative and control groups (123.3° ± 15.1° vs 84.7° ± 8.3° vs 79.0° ± 11.6°, P < .01) and larger in the symptomatic group when compared with the nonsymptomatic group (135.6° ± 15.9° vs 111.0° ± 14.3°, P < .05). Postoperatively, the total gastrointestinal transit time, left colonic transit time, and rectosigmoid colonic transit time of all the children were shorter than preoperatively (26.8 ± 8.2 vs >188 hours, P < .01; 6.3 ± 4.1 vs >60 hours, P < .01; 11.8 ± 4.4 vs >120 hours, P < .01) and similar to controls. The total gastrointestinal transit time and rectosigmoid colonic transit time of the symptomatic group were significantly shorter than the nonsymptomatic group (25.2 ± 5.6 vs 28.1 ± 10.1 hours, P < .05; 12.2 ± 6.7 vs 9.8 ± 4.0 hours, P < .05).

Conclusions

The stooling pattern and colonic motility are satisfactory in most children after the one-stage transanal pull-through operation for Hirschsprung's disease. Normalization of colon appearance and total and segmental colonic transit time are signs of recovery of colonic motility. Stooling disorders were noted in a few cases and may be related to decrease or disappearance of the sigmoid loop, dysfunction of the “neorectosigmoid”, an open and fixed anorectal angle, and ischemia of the pull-through segment.     

Large bowel obstruction in an adult after Soave for Hirschsprung's disease in childhood

Whereas Hirschsprung's disease is usually managed by surgery in infancy, late complications in adult life are rarely described. We report on a 36-year-old male presenting with an unusual complication after definitive treatment of Hirschprung's disease as an infant.     

腹腔镜辅助经肛门Soave拖出术治疗先天性巨结肠症及同类性疾病

目的 探讨腹腔镜辅助经肛门Soave手术治疗先天性巨结肠症及同类性疾病的可行性和效果.方法 2010年3月至2011年12月,对31例先天性巨结肠症及同类性疾病的患儿实施腹腔镜辅助经肛门Soave手术,作者改进这种技术,在经脐或经肛门腹腔镜监视下联合直肠肌鞘入路游离左半结肠或全部结肠,然后拖出体外完成直肠乙状结肠或次全结肠切除术. 结果 本组31例患儿均顺利完成手术,16例行直肠乙状结肠切除,15例次全结肠切除术,平均手术时间(117 ±13) min,切除肠段35 ～ 80 cm,术中估计出血5～20 ml,1例因小肠梗阻开腹探查.随访无吻合口狭窄和便秘复发,仅1例出现小肠结肠炎.结论 经脐或经肛门腹腔镜辅助Soave手术治疗先天性巨结肠及同类性疾病安全、有效,手术创伤更小.     

Duhamel operation vs. transanal endorectal pull-through procedure for Hirschsprung disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

To compare treatment outcomes in children with Hirschsprung's disease who underwent treatment using the Duhamel or TERPT surgical procedures.

A follow-up study on postoperative function after a transanal Soave 1-stage endorectal pull-through procedure for Hirschsprung's disease

Objective

The aim of the study is to appraise bowel movements in children with Hirschsprung's disease (HD) after a transanal Soave 1-stage endorectal pull-through (TAS) procedure.

Methods

From October 2000 to October 2004, 44 patients with HD underwent a TAS procedure, 35 had a Soave operation via a laparotomy, 29 underwent a Soave procedure via laparoscopy, and 39 had an Ikeda-Soper procedure; the patients were followed up from 1 to 5 years after surgery. Evaluation of the perioperative therapeutic effect and postoperative bowel movements between the 4 groups were analyzed by Kelly's score and anorectal manometry.

Results

The TAS procedure required less operative time and costs than the Soave procedure via laparotomy or laparoscopy (P < .05) and less than that of Ikeda-Soper procedure for the duration of the preoperative preparation, the duration of the surgical procedure, intraoperative blood transfusions, days of postoperative fasting, antibiotic use, and days and cost of hospitalization (P < .01). There were no differences in short-term and long-term complications between the same Soave procedures; the Soave procedure exceeded the Ikeda-Soper operation in the incidence of enterocolitis 3 months postoperatively (P < .05), but there was no difference between the TAS procedure and the Ikeda-Soper procedure. There was no difference in bowel movements 12 months postoperatively and the rectal anal inhibitory reflex, high-pressure zone length, resting anal canal pressure, and the sensation threshold 1 year postoperatively between the TAS procedure and the Ikeda-Soper procedure, but the active contractile pressure was lower after the TAS procedure than the Ikeda-Soper procedure.

Conclusions

The TAS procedure is more suitable than the Soave operation via laparotomy or laparoscopy and Ikeda-Soper procedure and is feasible in infants with short segment type and common type HD.     

Stabilization period after 1-stage transanal endorectal pull-through operation for Hirschsprung disease

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate postoperative outcomes and to find the period required for normal stooling pattern after the 1-stage transanal endorectal pull-through operation (TERPT).

Method

The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical data and postoperative courses of 61 patients who had the aganglionic bowel confined to rectosigmoid and underwent TERPT between 2001 and 2007.

Results

Thirty-three patients (54.1%) were neonates, and 56 patients (91.8%) were less than 6 months old at operation. The mean age at TERPT was 90 ± 216 days, and the mean body weight at TERPT was 4.5 ± 2.8 kg. The average operating time was 189 ± 49 minutes, and mean length of bowel resection was 11.1 ± 3.2 cm. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 8.0 ± 3.6 days. Postoperatively, 5 (8.2%) patients were considered as failure of TERPT because of persistent problems in defecation. Fifty-six (91.8%) patients finally had normal stooling patterns and normal findings in abdominal radiography after 9.4 ± 6.2 weeks of the mean postoperative stabilization period. Neonatal cases had significantly longer postoperative stabilization periods than nonneonatal cases (11.3 ± 6.9 weeks vs 7.3 ± 4.6 weeks, P = .016). The postoperative stabilization period significantly decreased by age at operation as the patient's age increased (P = .018).

Conclusion

Clinical outcomes after TERPT are satisfactory, but a postoperative stabilization period is required for a normal stooling pattern to develop. The outcome of TERPT should consider a postoperative stabilization period.     

The problematic Soave cuff in Hirschsprung disease: Manifestations and treatment

Purpose

Following a Soave pull-through for Hirschsprung disease (HD), some children struggle with obstructive symptoms. We hypothesized that these symptoms could result from a functional obstruction of the pull through caused by the Soave cuff, and that cuff resection might improve bowel emptying.

Methods

We reviewed patients referred to our center from 2008 to 2012 with obstructive problems following a Soave pull-through for HD (CCHMC IRB # 2011–2019). Only patients with an obstructing Soave cuff were analyzed. Patients with other reasons for obstruction (anastomotic stricture, transition zone, aganglionic segment) were excluded.

Results

Thirty-six patients underwent reoperation at our center for obstructive symptoms after an initial Soave pull-through. Seventeen of these patients had a Soave cuff only as the potential source of obstruction. Pre-operative symptoms included enterocolitis (10), constipation (6), and failure to thrive (1). Nine patients (53%) required irrigations to manage distension or enterocolitis pre-operatively. 14/17 patients (82%) had a palpable cuff on rectal exam. Eight patients (47%) had radiographic evidence of a cuff demonstrated by distal narrowing (4) or a prominent presacral space (4). Four children (23%) underwent excision of the cuff only. Thirteen (76%) had removal of the cuff and proximally dilated colon [(average length 7.2 cm) (12 performed transanally, and five needed laparotomy as well.)] Post-operatively, episodes of enterocolitis were reduced to zero, and need for irrigation to treat distension was reduced by 50%. Nine patients have voluntary bowel movements, and five are clean on enemas. 3/6 patients with pre-operative constipation or impaction now empty without enemas. (Follow up 1–17 months, mean 7 months.)

Conclusions

Recurrent enterocolitis, constipation, or failure to thrive can indicate a functional obstruction due to a Soave cuff when no other pathologic cause exists. Physical exam or contrast enema can identify a problematic cuff. Reoperation with cuff resection can dramatically improve bowel emptying.     

改良Soave术吻合器吻合治疗先天性巨结肠症

目的探讨改良Soave术吻合器吻合根治先天性巨结肠症(HD)的临床价值。方法回顾性分析解放军第477医院2002年1月至2010年12月期间采用改良Soave术经肛门直肠黏膜与近端肠管端端吻合器吻合治疗的26例HD患者的临床资料。结果改良Soave术吻合器吻合26例患者均顺利完成手术,无吻合口漏、直肠肌鞘感染及小肠结肠炎并发症发生。2例术后出现大便次数增多,分别于经口服收敛药物后15d及30d恢复正常。轻度污粪1例。所有病例均获得随访,随访时间3～60个月,平均32个月,无排粪失禁及便秘发生。结论改良Soave术吻合器吻合,治疗年长儿童及成人HD安全、有效。     

先天性巨结肠经肛-期直肠内拖出手术疗效与术后排粪情况研究

目的探讨经肛-期直肠内拖出术（TOSEPT）治疗先天性巨结肠的安全性、有效性及术后排粪情况。方法回顾性分析2005年4月至2011年4月间在广州医学院第三附属医院接受TOSEPT的56例先天性巨结肠患儿的临床资料。将患儿按手术年龄分为新生儿组（2l例,手术年龄在出生后1个月以内）和非新生儿组（45例）,比较两组患儿的术中及术后情况。结果56例患儿手术时间（121．5±39．2）min,切除肠段（17．6±4．2）cm,术中出血（34．6±5．2）ml,术后住院时间（7．2±3．6）d．术后6例（10．6％）患儿出现并发症（小肠结肠炎4例,便秘复发2例）,其中接受再次手术的2例和长期便秘尚未解决的1例患儿视为手术失败。手术成功的53例患儿术后经（9．2±5．8）周的排粪过渡期均最终恢复正常排粪。与非新生儿组相比．新生儿组患儿手术时间和术后住院时间均明显缩短,但术后排粪过渡期显著延长（均P〈0．05）;两组患儿术中出血量和术后并发症发生率的差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论TOSEPT治疗先天性巨结肠安全、有效,但术后需要一个排粪过渡期来恢复正常排粪。尽管相对于婴幼患儿．新生患儿手术时间和术后住院时间均明显缩短．但在疗效评价时应同时考虑其显著延长的排粪过渡期。     

Single-stage transanal endorectal pull-through for Hirschsprung's disease: perspective from a developing country

Background/Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, results, and cost-effectiveness of totally transanal endorectal pull-through (TEPT) in the management of rectosigmoid and midsigmoid Hirschsprung's disease (HD) in a low-income country.

Methods

Between March 2004 and December 2005, 19 children underwent totally TEPT procedure. The patients' ages ranged from 6 days to 13 years. The primary diagnosis in all 19 patients was HD confined to the rectosigmoid region in 15 and midsigmoid in 4. None had a preoperative colostomy. Follow-up period ranged from 4 to 20 months (mean, 8 months).

Results

Ages ranged from 0.25 to 65 months, with a mean of 16.24 months. Weights ranged from 3.4 to 13 kg, with a mean of 6.5 kg. Mean time from diagnosis to pull-through procedure was 26 days (range, 6-39 days). The mean length of rectosigmoid resection was 30 cm (range, 20-50 cm). The mean operative time was 95 minutes (range, 75-140 minutes). Mean intraoperative blood loss was 25 mL (range, 15-40 mL). There was one death unrelated to the procedure. One patient had enterocolitis 3 months postoperatively. Average frequency of defecation was 3 (range, 1-6) stools per day. TEPT was associated with a shorter operating time, less blood loss, early return to feeds, and an overall reduced cost.

Conclusion

The safety and cost-effective benefits of transanal endorectal pull-through in the treatment of HD are of special interest for a developing country. Our data also suggest that functional outcome following TEPT is highly satisfactory and comparable with other established procedures.     

Swenson revisited: a one-stage,transanal pull-through procedure for Hirschsprung's disease

Background: Hirschsprung’s disease is a common cause of neonatal intestinal obstruction. A variety of operations have been used to treat this neurogenic form of bowel obstruction. This report describes an experience with a 1-stage abdominal and transanal pull-through operation in 15 patients with rectosigmoid disease.Methods: Fifteen infants with Hirschsprung’s disease included 11 boys and 4 girls. Median age at diagnosis was 3 days, and median age of operation was 30 days. Diagnosis was confirmed by rectal biopsy. Biopsies to confirm the transition zone were performed intraabdominally through a left lower quadrent incision. A Swenson pull-through was performed via transanal dissection.Results: There were no instances of anastomotic leaks, wound infections or postoperative bowel obstructions. All patients survived. Two had postoperative enterocolitis. Twelve of 15 patients did well and had 2-3 bowel motions per day. One with Down’s syndrome had enterocolitis and required a colostomy. Two were lost to follow up.Conclusions: A one-stage transanal pull-through procedure in infancy is a safe alternative to staged procedures for Hirschsprung’s disease.     

Transanal endorectal pull-through in children with Hirschsprung's disease—technical refinements and comparison of results with the Duhamel procedure

Purpose

Transanal endorectal pull-through (TEPT) has drastically changed the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease (HD). A short follow-up of children submitted to TEPT reveals results that are similar to the classic transabdominal pull-through procedures. However, few reports compare the late results of TEPT with transabdominal pull-through procedures with respect to complication rates and the fecal continence. The aims of the present work are to describe some technical refinements that we introduced in the procedure and to compare the short and long-term outcome of TEPT with the outcomes of a group of patients with HD who previously underwent the Duhamel procedure.

Methods

Thirty-five patients who underwent TEPT were prospectively studied and compared to a group of 29 patients who were treated with colostomy followed by a classical Duhamel pull-through. The main modifications introduced in the TEPT group were no preoperative colon preparation, operation conducted under general anesthesia in addition to regional sacral anesthesia, use of only one purse-string suture in the rectal mucosa before transanal submucosal dissection, and no use of retractors and electrocautery during the submucosal dissection.

Results

The most frequent early complications of TEPT group were perineal dermatitis (22.8%) and anastomotic strictures (8.6%). The comparison with patients who underwent Duhamel procedure revealed no difference in the incidence of preoperative enterocolitis, the patients of the TEPT group were younger at the time of diagnosis and of surgery, they had shorter operating times, and they began oral feeding more quickly after the operation. The incidence of wound infection was lower in the TEPT group. Moreover, the TEPT and Duhamel groups showed no difference in the incidences of mortality, postoperative partial continence, and total incontinence. Although the incidences of complete continence and postoperative enterocolitis were not different, a tendency to the increased incidence in the TEPT group was observed.

Conclusions

This study further supports the technical advantages, the simplicity, and the decreased incidence of complications of a primary TEPT procedure when compared to a classical form of pull-through. Some technical refinements are described, and no preoperative colon preparation was necessary for the patients studied here. The results show that the long-term outcomes of the modified TEPT procedure are generally better than those obtained with classical approaches.     

改良尿道套入术在后尿道狭窄/闭锁治疗的应用

目的:评估应用改良尿道套入术治疗后尿道狭窄/闭锁的可行性和安全性,提高手术治疗效果。方法:对应用改良尿道套入术治疗的212例后尿道狭窄/闭锁患者进行回顾性分析,狭窄闭锁段长度1.5～12 cm。66例曾有1～4次失败尿道手术史,208例经会阴或腹会阴切口、4例经会阴+切除部分耻骨下缘切口。15例应用游离包皮内板或/和膀胱粘膜进行尿道替代成形。结果:198例(93.4%)术后排尿满意,其中16例分别行尿道扩张3～15次后排尿正常,14例失败者,10例再次、2例3次手术成功、1例长期尿道扩张、1例长期留置膀胱造瘘管,15例应用尿道替代物成形者14例1次取得成功、1例术后19个月仍定期尿道扩张,所有患者无严重并发症。结论:改良尿道套入术治疗后尿道狭窄/闭锁是可行、安全的,具有创伤小、操作简便、成功率高等优点。尿道狭窄段>5 cm者应考虑应用尿道替代物成形。     

Transanal endorectal pull-through for Hirschsprung's disease: experience with 68 patients

Background/purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the indications, results, and complications of transanal endorectal pull-through (TEPT) in the management of recto-sigmoid Hirschsprung’s disease (HD).Methods: Between November 1998 and March 2002, 68 TEPT procedures were performed in infants and children. The patients’ ages ranged from 6 days to 13 years. The primary diagnosis in all 68 patients was Hirschsprung’s disease confined to the recto-sigmoid region. All children had their operations done without construction of preoperative colostomy except for one. Follow-up period ranged from 3 to 39 months (mean, 21 months).Results: The mean operating time was 90 minutes, and average length of bowel resected was 25 cm. Sixty-two patients had satisfactory results without complications. Blood transfusion was needed in only 11 patients. Recovery was very fast, and patients often were hungry within 24 hours. Feeding was resumed within 48 hours. One patient required laparotomy during the procedure owing to injury to the urethra. Two patients required colostomy 3 and 5 days after surgery respectively, because of delayed leakage. Three patients suffered from attacks of enterocolitis 6 to 9 months postoperatively. There was increased frequency of defecation (5 to 15 times daily) for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery in all the patients. There was no constipation, no incontinence, no cuff abscess, and no mortality in any of the patients. Average frequency of defecation was 1 to 3 times daily after 3 months. The cost of the TEPT technique was almost half that of the open surgery.Conclusions: TEPT takes less time, has less bleeding, shorter hospital stay, less morbidity, and earlier recovery than similar open pull-through procedures. The hazards and morbidities associated with laparotomy and colostomy may be avoided with a one-stage technique in Hirschsprung’s disease confined to the recto-sigmoid region. Careful long-term follow-up is required to assess continence and sexual function.     

三个月内婴儿巨结肠症腹腔镜Soave改良根治术探讨

目的:总结腹腔镜Soave改良根治术治疗3个月内婴儿巨结肠症的临床经验。方法:为45例巨结肠患儿施行腹腔镜Soave改良根治术并对术后发生并发症的21例进行分析。结果:45例均治愈出院,术后随访3个月至4年,患儿生长发育良好,食欲及大小便正常,无污粪。结论:腹腔镜下巨结肠Soave改良根治术对婴儿打击小,创伤轻,手术风险低,安全系数高,手术效果好。在腹腔镜辅助下可将巨结肠患儿的手术年龄提前至新生儿和小婴儿期,早期治愈有利于患儿身心健康及发育。     

Comparison of functional outcomes of Duhamel and transanal endorectal coloanal anastomosis for Hirschsprung's disease

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the morbidity and medium-term functional outcome of the Duhamel operation and laparotomy and transanal endorectal coloanal anastomosis (TECA) for Hirschsprung’s disease (HSCR).

Methods

The study populations were 34 consecutive children who underwent the Duhamel operation (or Lester Martin modification) and 37 who had the TECA. Demographic details were obtained by case note review, and functional outcome was determined by a combination of outpatient interview, questionnaire, and telephone enquiry.

Results

There was no difference between the groups with respect to age, gender, and length of aganglionic segment. Seventy percent presented as neonates (Duhamel, 24 of 34; TECA, 26 of 37). A single-stage primary pull-through was performed in 17 of 37 children in the TECA group, and in 1 of 34 from the Duhamel group. There was a single perioperative death in the Duhamel group and an unrelated, late death in the TECA group. Postoperative enterocolitis was seen in 13 of 37 TECA children and in a single child from the Duhamel group. A stricture of the pull-through segment was seen in 7 of 37 children after TECA and required temporary diversion in 2 of 9. Late division of a rectal spur was required in 6 of 33 Duhamel children. Requirement for late myectomy was the same in both groups (Duhamel 3 of 33, TECA 4 of 37). Complications requiring stoma formation occurred in 5 of 37 after TECA and 2 of 33 after the Duhamel operation. Two children from the TECA group and 1 from the Duhamel group remain diverted. One child from each group required a re-pull-through procedure. Two patients were lost to follow-up in the TECA group, leaving 34 children in this group and 33 in the Duhamel group in whom functional outcome could be assessed. Functional outcome was similar in the 2 groups.

Conclusions

TECA and Duhamel procedures have similar medium-term functional outcomes. TECA has a high incidence of postoperative enterocolitis and transient stricture formation but is suitable for single-stage neonatal treatment of HSCR.     

Modified transanal rectosigmoidectomy for Hirschsprung's disease: clinical and manometric results in the initial 20 cases

Purpose

The authors describe a modified technique of primary transanal rectosigmoidectomy for Hirschsprung’s disease (HD), using a Swenson like procedure to perform the anastomosis between the colon and the rectum, and the preliminary results from this in children.

Methods

Twenty children, of whom, 90% were boys and 10% girls, 50% white and 50% nonwhite, aged 15 days to 10 years and with HD proven via biopsy, underwent a transanal pull-through procedure over a 29-month period. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 29 to 5 months. The proximal cut edge of the mucosal and submucosal cuff was tagged with multiple polypropylene 4-0 sutures, which were used for traction of the intestinal layers outside. The rectal mucosa was incised circumferentially using cautery, to perform rectal dissection approximately 1.5 cm from the dentate line, except in newborn case, in which the proximal cut edge was 0.5 cm from the dentate line. The dissection extended in an upward direction around the entire rectal circumference as far as the opening of the peritoneal reflection. The full thickness of rectum and sigmoid were mobilized outside through the anus, with division and coagulation of the rectal and sigmoid vessels using cautery or ligatures with cotton 4-0. The dissected colon then was divided above the transition zone, which was confirmed via full-thickness biopsy sections and with frozen section confirmation of ganglion cell presence. The authors performed a modified Swenson anastomosis technique, using a seromuscular polyglactin 4-0 separate-stitch suture. No drains were used.

Results

Normal bowel movements were displayed by all patients at the follow-up. All patients underwent a defecogram and anorectal computerized manometry at 3 months after surgery that showed an absence of stenosis and good anorectal sphincter muscle complex function. The incidence of complications in our series was 10%.

Conclusions

During the follow-up period of 29 months, all patients had normal bowel movements and normal anorectal manometric pressure profiles.     

Functional outcome after operation for Hirschsprung disease—transanal vs transabdominal approach

Background

It has been hypothesized that the extensive transanal dissection in transanal endorectal pull-through (TEPT) for Hirschsprung disease (HD) can impair the anal sphincters in neonates and thereby cause incontinence. Theoretically, transabdominal endorectal pull-through might have less impact on the sphincters. The aim of this study was to compare functional outcome in HD patients operated with either TEPT or laparotomy-assisted endorectal pull-through (LEPT) with particular focus on soiling and fecal incontinence.

Patients and Methods

Anorectal function in 52 children older than 3 years is reported. The patients were operated for HD with either TEPT (n = 28) or LEPT (n = 24) and followed prospectively. Functional outcome was recorded by standardized interviews. The Krickenbeck criteria were used to classify voluntary bowel movements, soiling, and constipation.

Results

The median age at follow-up was 5.7 years (3.1-13.2) for TEPT and 10.1 years (7.7-16.2) for LEPT. Twenty-nine patients reported soiling at final follow-up. There was no difference in the rate of soiling between children operated with TEPT (54%) or LEPT (58%). Constipation was reported in 11 children (TEPT, 25%; LEPT, 17%).

Conclusions

The functional outcome and in particular the rate of soiling did not differ between patients operated with LEPT or TEPT.