Transanal full-thickness pull-through approach in the treatment of anastomotic leakage after operation for Hirschsprung disease.

Abstract

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is one of the most perplexing complications that can occur following a radical operation to treat Hirschsprung disease (HSCR). The purpose of this study was to document our experience with anastomotic leakage following radical HSCR surgery to enhance therapeutic effect and prognosis. Between January 2007 and April 2021, a retrospective study was conducted on 12 children who developed anastomotic leakage following radical surgery for HSCR. Medical records were analyzed to determine the clinical manifestations, primary surgical procedures, evaluation methods, surgical plans, and outcomes of the patients. To assess postoperative bowel function, the Rintala score was used. The Soave procedure was used as the primary surgical method in seven cases (58.3%), the Swenson procedure was used in four cases (33.3%), and the Rehbein procedure was used in one case (8.3%). Enterostomy (10, 83.3%) and conservative treatment (2, 16.7%) were performed when anastomotic leakage was diagnosed. Two patients who directly closed stoma without redoing pull-through both accepted enterostomy within 48h. One female with anastomotic fistula who was closed leakage or fistula in situ had to endure lifelong stoma. Other patients who underwent redo pull-through procedures had normal bowel function. Seven patients underwent a redo pull-through procedure. Three of them preferred the transanal full-thickness pull-through (FTPT) approach, while four preferred the Soave technique. Three children had mild postoperative soiling, which improved with conservative treatment. Bowel function score was 17.5 ± 1.1. Enterostomy should be performed immediately if anastomotic leakage occurs. After leakage, it is necessary to redo the pull-through procedure in an anastomotic fistula or anastomotic stricture. Transanal FTPT reconstruction is an effective method for repairing anastomoses and leakage.