Transanal mucosectomy in the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease

Transanal mucosectomy of the aganglionic segment of colon is a critical step in minimally invasive surgery for Hirschsprung's disease. The purpose of this study was to examine the outcome of patients undergoing transanal mucosectomy.

From January 1979 to November 1998, 26 patients (ages 25 days to 17 years) underwent transanal mucosectomy for Hirschsprung's disease. Seventeen (65%) had partial transanal mucosectomy (PTM; 1979 to 1998) and 9 (35%) complete transanal mucosectomy (CTM; 1995 to 1998). In PTM, a 2- to 3-cm mucosal dissection was begun 1 cm above the dentate line in conjunction with transabdominal endorectal dissection (modified Soave). In CTM, the entire mucosal dissection was performed transanally as part of a laparoscopically assisted Soave procedure. Results were obtained by chart review and personal communication. Patients were assessed clinically for continence where age appropriate (>3 years) and for development of constipation, postoperative enterocolitis, and anal stricture.

One of 16 (6.2%) of the PTM group was incontinent versus none (4 patients) in the CTM group. Five of 17 (29.4%) of the PTM group were constipated versus 4 of 9 (44.4%) in the CTM group (t test, P = not significant). Postoperative enterocolitis developed in 4 of 17 (23.5%) of the PTM group versus 6 of 9 (66.6%) in the CTM group (t test, P<.05). Three of 6 (50%) of the CTM group versus none in the PTM group required hospitalization for bowel rest, rectal washouts, and antibiotics. All patients were well at the time of the report. Anal stricture was not seen in either group.

Constipation and postoperative enterocolitis are a significant feature of transanal mucosectomy for Hirschsprung's disease deserving close surveillance, especially in patients in whom the entire mucosal dissection was performed transanally. Continence appears to be satisfactorily preserved from these preliminary results.