Anorectal motility after rectal myectomy in patients with Hirschsprung's disease

Role of anorectal myectomy after failed endorectal pull-through in Hirschsprung's disease

Thirty-seven patients with Hirschsprung's disease (HD) underwent endorectal pull-through (ERPT). Six children had signs and symptoms similar to those of their preoperative state, and their conditions did not respond to conservative therapy. Anorectal manometry showed high anal canal pressure in these patients. Anorectal myectomy (ARM), which included posterior rectal myectomy with partial internal sphincterotomy, was performed 6 to 55 months after ERPT. Five patients had marked improvement, and one had a partial response. Anal canal pressure was reduced significantly in all six patients. ARM is recommended after ERPT if constipation, abdominal distension, or repeated enterocolitis, unresponsive to conservative therapy, occurs. ARM should be performed before the patient is considered a candidate for a secondary pull-through operation.

Long-term clinical, manometric, and histological evaluation of obstructive symptoms in the postoperative Hirschsprung's patient

One hundred seventy-eight of 326 patients had surgery for Hirschsprung's disease at Red Cross Children's Hospital (1957 to 1990) agreed to participate in a recall follow-up study. Assessment of the postoperative outcome of the Swenson, Duhamel, and Soave procedures included manometric evaluation in 43 patients by perfused-tube and balloon-series techniques. Rectal suction biopsies were performed for patients who had persistent problems with stool evaluation. One hundred fifteen of the 178 patients were more than 4 years of age, and long-term functional outcome could be assessed. Although good results were obtained in 94% overall, 16 had clinical evidence of a degree of persisting obstruction. Results of manometric assessment of anorectal function in these patients were not significantly different from those of 28 patients who had normal stool evacuation. A biopsy was performed in 14 of the 16 patients who had symptoms of obstruction postoperatively, and abnormal histological features were noted. There was aganglionosis in four, features of neuronal intestinal dysplasia in nine, ganglioneuromatosis of the colon in one. The results of two biopsies were entirely normal. Implications of postoperative dysfunction after surgery for Hirschsprung's disease are discussed, and a protocol for investigation and management is proposed.