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Updated: May 22, 2026

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
Duhamel's procedure for adult Hirschsprung's disease
Mehreen Adhi1, Salma Khan, Hasnain Zafar
1Department of Surgery, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
Abstract:
An adult presented with chronic constipation and abdominal mass. Clinical features, abdominal radiographs and barium enema revealed features consistent with Hirschsprung's disease. Full-thickness rectal biopsy was planned, but patient was lost to follow-up and presented 3 years later with intestinal obstruction. Exploratory laparotomy with resection of affected sigmoid colon and end colostomy were performed. Sequential rectal biopsies were obtained during the procedure to confirm the diagnosis. Later, Duhamel's procedure with a diverting loop ileostomy was successfully performed. Ileostomy reversal was done thereafter. There was complete resolution of symptoms and dramatic improvement in bowel function.
