Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Murine Ileocolic Bowel Resection with Primary Anastomosis
Published on: October 29, 2014
Bowel perforation in Hirschsprung's disease
Insights
Hirschsprung's disease can cause bowel perforation in infants, especially those under 4 months. Early diagnosis is crucial, as perforation often occurs in the aganglionic bowel segment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Hirschsprung's disease is a congenital condition affecting the large intestine.
- Bowel perforation is a rare but serious complication in infants with Hirschsprung's disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the incidence and characteristics of bowel perforation in infants with Hirschsprung's disease.
- To identify risk factors and common sites of perforation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for 45 infants with Hirschsprung's disease.
- Literature survey to analyze existing data on bowel perforation in this population.
Main Results:
- Two infants (4.4%) presented with bowel perforation.
- Infants under 4 months were at highest risk.
- Perforation commonly occurred in long-segment or total colonic disease, often within the aganglionic bowel.
Conclusions:
- Hirschsprung's disease should be considered in infants with pneumoperitoneum and distal bowel perforation.
- Timely diagnosis and management are critical for infants at risk.
Abstract:
A review of the medical records of 45 infants less than 1 year old with Hirschsprung's disease identified two (4.4%) who presented with bowel perforation. A literature survey was done to evaluate the relationship between bowel perforation of the bowel early in the course of Hirschsprung's disease indicates that: the infant under 4 months old is at the greatest risk; the majority of cases (62%) were associated with long-segment or total colonic Hirschsprung's disease; the most common sites of perforation were the proximal colon (68%) and appendix (17%); in cases with a short or intermediate length of aganglionic bowel, the perforation was proximal to or at the site of transition, but in 84% of infants with total colonic aganglionosis the perforation was situated in aganglionic bowel. Hirschsprung's disease should be a prime differential consideration in a young infant with penumoperitoneum caused by distal bowel perforation.
Related Concept Videos
Esophageal Perforation-I: Introduction
The location of esophageal perforation can vary, occurring anywhere along the esophagus.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
Intestinal Obstruction II: Pathophysiology
Diverticular Disease of the Colon

