Topical application of isosorbide dinitrate in patients with persistent constipation after pull-through surgery for Hirschsprung's disease.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the anal manometric changes and the clinical effects after topical application of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) in patients with persistent constipation after pull-through surgery for Hirschsprung's disease (HD).


METHODS
We studied 3 children (2 males and 1 female), aged 2, 3 and 5 years respectively, who had undergone the Soave-Boley surgical procedure for HD and who suffered from persistent constipation after operation. We performed a pre- and postoperative anorectal manometry study and we applied ISDN paste (1 mg/kg two times daily) in the anal region for three weeks. All patients were followed-up and re-evaluated at 1, 3, and 6 months.


RESULTS
All patients showed an improvement of symptoms, with an average of 4 spontaneous evacuations per week. Prior to the topical treatment, the medium pressure was 115.6 mmHg (range 102 - 130 mmHg), the maximum pressure was 160 mmHg (range 145 - 175 mmHg), and the medium length of the high pressure zone was 1.8 cm (range 1.5 - 2.0 cm). At the 6 month follow-up, the medium pressure was 57.3 mmHg (range 52 - 61 mmHg, a decrease of 54.4 %), the maximum pressure was 98 mmHg (range 88 - 107 mmHg; a decrease of 38.7 %), and the medium length of the high pressure zone was 1.6 cm (range 1.4 - 1.8 cm; a decrease of 11.1 %).


CONCLUSIONS
Topical treatment with ISDN is a valid therapeutic alternative to an anal myotomy in patients with persistent constipation after pull-through surgery for HD. However, a greater number of cases and a longer follow-up are necessary to confirm the validity of our experience.
Messina
M
M
Section of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. messinam@unisi.it
Amato
G
G
Meucci
D
D
Molinaro
F
F
Nardi
N
N
D000287:Administration, Topical; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006627:Hirschsprung Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D009122:Muscle Hypertonia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate