[Quality of life and long term results in Hirschsprung's disease]

The most frequent long term side effects of Hirschsprung's disease (HD) surgery are obstructive problems and fecal incontinence. In this study, we analyse long term functional results of the two most used surgical techniques (Duhamel-D- and De la Torre-dlT-) from the patient's point of view, through quality of life and functionality questionnaires.

We selected short segment HD patients ≥ 4 years) that were operated in our unit from 1996 until 2011. We employed two validated questionnaires: Bowel Function Score (BFS) and Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). Both questionnaires were also tested in two control age matched groups, each for every arm (controlD or control dlT).

Among 28 preselected patients, 22 (78.6%) answered both questionnaires. Group D (10 patients) showed more constipation: 60% vs. 16.7% ( p = 0.01). Patients in group dlT (12 patients) showed more leaks: 58.3 vs. 10% (p = 0.03). Results of both questionnaires were higher (better) in Group D: 16 vs. 12.8 points (BFS, p = 0.007) and 74.1 vs. 69.8 (GIQLI, p = 0.17). The control group showed an overall better scores than HD patients: 17.2 vs. 14.3 (BFS p = 0.001) and 75.9 vs. 71.8 (GIQLI, p = 0.04). Separately, both groups of patients showed worse scores when compared with each control group.

Our results are similar to other studies, where global scores of functional results and quality of life are worse in operated HD patients than in age matched controls. Fecal incontinence has more impact on social scores than constipation. Due to the fact that our dlT patients have more frequently fecal leaks, their scores are worse than in the D group. Nevertheless, patients in dlT group are younger and may improve their results as they get older, as it is often the case in operated HD patients.