Late postoperative complications after single-stage transanal endorectal pull-through for Hirschsprung′s disease

Abstract

Objective The aim of the study was to assess the late postoperative complications after single-stage transanal endorectal pull-through for Hirschsprung's disease. Background Hirschsprung's disease is a common cause of bowel obstruction during the newborn period. One-stage surgery for Hirschsprung's disease is well established, and the results are comparable or better than multistage surgery. Patients and methods This was a retrospective study conducted at the Pediatric Surgery Unit of Department of General Surgery, Menoufia University Hospital and Abu-El Reesh Insurance Hospital between October 2007 and November 2011. This study included 20 patients with Hirschsprung's disease; there were 15 boys and five girls, their ages ranging from 6 months to 5 years. All these patients were subjected to transanal pull-through, and their data were retrieved by checking their files. Results The mean age of these patients was 32.1 ± 17.47 months. Rectal biopsy was diagnostic in all patients, whereas barium enema was diagnostic only in 16 patients. The mean operative time was 91.3 ± 11.89 min. The commonest postoperative complication was enterocolitis (30%); two patients (10%) were in need for frequent dilatation, three patients (15%) complained of rectal prolapse, two other patients (10%) complained of increased stool frequency, and finally four patients (20%) complained of recurring constipation. Conclusion Transanal pull-through is both feasible and safe for the management of patients with Hirschsprung's disease, and it is associated with acceptable morbidity.