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Updated: Jun 15, 2026
Murine Ileocolic Bowel Resection with Primary Anastomosis
Published on: October 29, 2014
Postoperative bowel function in children operated for Hirschsprung's disease in a low-income setting:
Belachew Dejene Wondemagegnehu1, Addisu Andargie2
1Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Insights
This study found that most children with Hirschsprung
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Hirschsprung's disease is a congenital condition causing lower intestinal obstruction in newborns.
- Postoperative outcomes vary, significantly impacting children's quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess and analyze postoperative bowel function in pediatric patients diagnosed with Hirschsprung's disease.
- To identify factors influencing bowel function outcomes after surgical correction.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 120 children who underwent surgery for Hirschsprung's disease were evaluated.
- A structured questionnaire assessed postoperative bowel function.
- Statistical analyses were performed to correlate outcomes with patient demographics and surgical procedures.
Main Results:
- The majority of patients (89%) achieved excellent or good postoperative continence.
- Two-stage procedures were associated with optimal bowel function.
- Age, gender, aganglionosis level, and procedure type did not significantly influence overall bowel function outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Two-stage surgical procedures generally lead to favorable postoperative bowel function in children with Hirschsprung's disease.
- Longer follow-up is needed to definitively assess long-term outcomes and the impact of various factors.
Abstract:
Hirschsprung's disease is a common cause of lower intestinal obstruction in newborns. It has variable postoperative outcomes affecting quality of life. The study was aimed at assessing postoperative bowel function in children with Hirschsprung's disease. It was conducted on 120 children operated for Hirschsprung's disease. A structured questionnaire for bowel function score was used and analyzed using relevant statistical tests. Of the 120 children in the study, 97 (80.8%) were male with 49 (40.8%) diagnosed during neonatal age and others by 2 years of age. Ninety-three (77.5%) of them had the classic type. Diversion colostomy was done in 104 (86.6%), and two-staged endorectal pullthrough was performed in 62 (72.5%) of cases with a 16% rate of retained aganglionosis. Postoperative continence was excellent in 46 (57%) and good in 26 (32%) with an incontinence rate of 11%. None of the outcome predictor showed significant influence. Optimal postoperative bowel function was obtained in the majority of patients with two-stage procedures, and the overall outcome of bowel function in children was not influenced by age, gender, level of aganglionosis, and type of procedure. Longer follow-up periods are required for definitive information.
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