Diagnosis and surgical management for adult Hirschsprung's disease

Abstract

To investigate the diagnosis and surgical management of adult Hirschsprung's disease. Clinical data of 15 patients with adult Hirschsprung's disease were reviewed retrospectively from June 1992 to June 2004. Patients age ranged from 17 to 54 years old. The main manifestations included long-term (ranged from 9.5 month to 50 years) constipation and abdominal distention. Acute abdominal pain occurred in six patients, but no sign of de hydration and malnutrition occurred in all patients. Bowel stenosis and dilation could be examined by barium enema. Soave procedure was performed in 3 patients, subtotal colectomy with coloanal anastomosis was performed in twelve patients. The function of defecation was improved in all patients after operation. The diagnosis of adult Hirschsprung's disease mainly depends on the history of constipation from infant and barium enema. Subtotal colectomy with coloanal anastomosis is an effective and safe operative procedure.