Duhamel-Martin procedure for Hirschsprung's disease in neonates and infants: one-stage operation.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
The one-stage Duhamel-Martin procedure is now feasible in almost all children, irrespective of age and weight.
van der Zee
D C
DC
Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Children's Hospital, Wilhelmina, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Bax
N M
NM
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery; D004766:Enterostomy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006627:Hirschsprung Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D020706:Laparoscopes; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013528:Surgical Staplers; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation