title: A proposal to preserve the ileocecal valve and right colon in total colonic aganglionosis.
abstract: We report two cases of total colonic aganglionosis in which the ileocecal valve and right colon were preserved. The aganglionic ileal segment is removed leaving behind only a very short prececal remnant, which is anastomosed end-to-back to the remaining ileum. An ileal loop (of approximately 20 cm in length) is isolated and interposed between the right colon and rectum. The operation can be performed as a staged procedure. The advantage of preserving the ileocecal valve with respect to physiology is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, University of Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sauer
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Klos
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D003106:Colon / Q000294:innervation* / Q000601:surgery; D006627:Hirschsprung Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007080:Ileocecal Valve; D007082:Ileum / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery