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Duhamel-Martin procedure for Hirschsprung's disease in neonates and infants: one-stage operation
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Children's Hospital, Wilhelmina, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Background:
A retrospective study was performed to demonstrate that a one-stage Duhamel-Martin procedure is feasible for Hirschsprung's disease, even in neonates and infants.
Methods:
In a 2 1/2-year period, 32 children with Hirschsprung's disease were treated according to the method of Duhamel-Martin. In 22 of them the diagnosis had been established within the first 2 months of life.
Results:
Twenty-nine children did not receive a preliminary enterostomy. In the three neonates who did have a preliminary enterostomy, it was closed during the Duhamel-Martin procedure. In the last 2 years, no enterostomies have been performed.
Conclusion:
The one-stage Duhamel-Martin procedure is now feasible in almost all children, irrespective of age and weight.