Complications of the two major operations of Hirschsprung's disease: a single center experience

This study was designed to determine and compare the results of the Duhamel and Swenson procedures. The hospital records of patients who had undergone the Swenson or Duhamel operation over a 17-year period were reviewed and the patients were contacted for a final evaluation. The early and late complications of these operations were defined and compared. It was determined that the Swenson operation had been performed in 138 patients and the Duhamel in 59. Among the various complications, such as wound infection, dehiscence, anastomotic leak, adhesive intestinal obstruction, pelvic abscess, intraabdominal abscess, mucosal prolapsus, anastomotic stricture and fistulas, only the anastomotic stricture showed significantly higher percentages in patients who had undergone the Swenson procedure. When urinary incontinence, enterocolitis, soiling and constipation were considered, there was no significant difference between these two groups. There was one death in the Swenson group and none in the Duhamel group. The authors suggest the Duhamel operation as a simpler and safer method for the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease.