Repeat pull-through for Hirschsprung's disease.
BACKGROUND
A repeat pull-through for Hirschsprung's disease is undertaken when the original procedure has failed. The reasons for failure include a retained aganglionic segment, stricture, fistula, or persisting incontinence.


METHODS
All patients who underwent a redo pull-through from 1982 through 1996 were included. Twenty-two patients were underwent surgery; 20 notes were reviewed. The mean age at operation was 6 years (range, 1 to 13). Mean time between operations was 5.1 years (range, 0.5 to 13).


RESULTS
Postoperative complications occurred in five patients. These included wound infection, recurrent rectal septum, division of a vas, compartment syndrome, and an anastomotic stricture. Follow-up was for 6.5 years (range, 0.2 to 12). The mean number of bowel movements was 2.2 per day (range, 1 to 6). Fourteen (of 19) patients were continent or soiling less than once per week. Soiling occurred more than once a week in four, but two of these were incontinent after the first operation. One has a colostomy.


CONCLUSIONS
A repeat pull-through is a worthwhile procedure when dealing with an anatomic problem such as retained Hirschsprung's disease, stenosis, or fistula.
Wilcox
D T
DT
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital NHS Trust, London, England.
Kiely
E M
EM
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006627:Hirschsprung Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome