The Swenson operation in the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease

A review of the clinical features, postoperative course and long-term follow up of a series of 40 patients having a Swenson pull-through procedure for Hirschsprung's disease is presented. The immediate postoperative recovery and long term bowel function was generally satisfactory and compared well with other operations used in this condition. Most of the residual problems with regard to functional outcome were in the younger age group who would be expected to gain more control with time. The provision of a covering colostomy in the post operative period, improvements in chemotherapeutics and in the intensive care management of these patients in recent years are discussed with regard to the avoidance of septic complications and mortality related to the operation.