title: Rectal biopsy for Hirschsprung's disease: what is the optimum method?
abstract: During a 3-year period, 258 infants and children underwent rectal biopsy to exclude Hirschsprung's disease (HD) and related disorders; 32 (12%) were found to have HD. Major morbidity occurred in 3 (2%) of 148 patients undergoing rectal suction biopsy (RSB) and 22 (13%) of 168 suction biopsies were inadequate for diagnosis. In 102 children over 6 months of age, Storz rectal cup biopsy forceps were used with no significant morbidity and adequate biopsies were obtained in 96% of cases. Open rectal biopsy was performed in 8 patients. The RSB tube is safe and reliable, but attention to technique is important. For children over 6 months of age undergoing rectal biopsy for HD, the Storz rectal cup biopsy forceps yields superior results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Surgery, Leeds General Infirmary, UK.
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Alizai
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Batcup
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Stringer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006627:Hirschsprung Disease / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology*; D013525:Surgical Instruments