Treatment of Hirschsprung's disease in the adult. Report of five cases.
OBJECTIVE
Between 1983 and 1991, five adult patients were diagnosed and treated for Hirschsprung's disease. Mean age was 37 (range, 13-45) years. Three patients had classic Hirschsprung's disease, and two had findings consistent with short segment disease. Each patient had a history of disabling, lifelong constipation.


METHODS
Diagnosis was established with the aid of barium enema study, anorectal manometry, and tissue biopsy.


RESULTS
Three patients with classic disease underwent resection of diseased bowel, rectal mucosectomy, and anastomosis between the ganglion-containing bowel and anus. All three patients had excellent functional improvement in the perioperative period. Two patients with findings consistent with short segment Hirschsprung's disease were treated by anorectal myectomy. Neither patient obtained lasting relief.
Wu
J S
JS
Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Lahey Clinic, Burlington, Massachusetts 01805, USA.
Schoetz
D J
DJ
Coller
J A
JA
Veidenheimer
M C
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003106:Colon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006627:Hirschsprung Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology