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Diagnosis of Hirschsprung's Disease by Immunostaining Rectal Suction Biopsies for Calretinin, S100 Protein and Protein Gene Product 9.5
Published on: April 26, 2019
Hirschsprung's disease: management problem in a developing country
E Bandré1, R A F Kaboré, I Ouedraogo
1Department of Surgery University, Child Hospital Charles De Gaulle of Ouagadougou (CHUP-CDG), .
Insights
Hirschsprung's disease management is challenging in Burkina Faso, marked by late diagnosis and high mortality. Improving care requires better training, resources, and public awareness for pediatric surgery outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hirschsprung's disease management presents significant challenges in developing nations.
- This study focuses on the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of Hirschsprung's disease at a major pediatric hospital in Burkina Faso.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the key epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of Hirschsprung's disease.
- To understand the challenges in managing Hirschsprung's disease in a resource-limited setting.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study conducted from January 2001 to December 2007.
- Data collected from the Surgery Unit at the University Child Hospital Charles De Gaulle of Ouagadougou (CHUP-CDG), a pediatric surgery reference center.
- Analysis of patient demographics, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Fifty-two patients diagnosed with Hirschsprung's disease, with a male-to-female ratio of 3.3:1.
- Late presentation common, with a median age of 20 months at diagnosis; rectosigmoidal form most frequent.
- High morbidity (12% post-surgery enterocolitis) and mortality (16%) rates observed, linked to late diagnosis and limited diagnostic services.
Conclusions:
- Hirschsprung's disease management in Burkina Faso is hampered by late diagnosis and limited access to essential investigations.
- Improving pediatric surgical care necessitates enhanced technical capacity, staff training, and public health education.
- Addressing socioeconomic factors is crucial for better patient outcomes in Hirschsprung's disease management.
Background:
The management of Hirschsprung's disease remains a problem in developing countries. Our aim is to identify the main epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of Hirschsprung's disease at the University Child Hospital Charles De Gaulle of Ouagadougou (CHUP-CDG).
Patients And Method:
It is a retrospective study carried out in the period from January 2001 to December 2007 in the Surgery Unit at CHUP-CDG, which is a reference centre for Paediatric Surgery in Burkina Faso.
Results:
There were 52 patients (M: F=3.3:1). The annual incidence was seven cases. Age at presentation and diagnosis ranged from two days 10 years (median 20 months). Twenty five patients were from poor socio-economic conditions. Presentations were mainly intestinal obstruction, chronic constipation and enterocolitis. There were two cases of associated trisomy 21. Average age at operative intervention was 3.17 months. The rectosigmoidal form was the most frequently encountered. Over two-thirds (67.31%), with no complications at presentation, had benefited from nursing before their final treatment. A temporary colostomy was requested in case of complication. Swenson's technique was practiced for all the patients who underwent surgery operation. The assessment of functional results in eight patients after an average decrease of 3.5 years gave excellent results. Post-surgery complications were mainly enterocolitis in 12% of patients. Mortality rate was 16%.
Conclusion:
Management of Hirschsprung's disease is a problem in Burkina Faso. It is characterised by its late presentation and difficult diagnosis due to inaccessibility and the non-availability of some investigation services (barium enema, histochemistry, and histology), resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates. Effective technical capacities, adequate staff training, and public education will be necessary to improve care quality.
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