[Timing of radical operation on Hirschsprung's disease in newborns]

From June 1987 to June 1993, 42 neonates with Hirschsprung's disease (NHD) were treated with modified Duhamel's procedure. The follow-up from 2 months to 5 years (mean 30 mons) showed satisfactory results in all survivors. Comparing with 21 infants with Hirschsprung's disease treated (IHD) with modified Swenson's method showed that: (1) The follow-up results of NHD were better than IHD; (2) The extent and degree of hypertrophy and dilatation of proximal and transitional segment were less serious in NHD and the length of resection was shorter than that of IHD (NHD: 14.5-24.1 cm, IHD: 33-40.5 cm); (3) The degree of pathological changes such as mucosal inflammation, ulcer formation, and degeneration of ganglion cells was related to the age, duration and the length of agangliosis. Hirschsprung's disease has a chronic progressive course. Early operation can decrease the secondary structural and functional damage to the intestine.