Skip to main content
Article
Transanal, full-thickness, Swenson-like approach for Hirschsprung disease
Journal of Pediatric Surgery
  • Marc A. Levitt, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
  • Miller C. Hamrick, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
  • Balgopal Eradi, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
  • Andrea Bischoff, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
  • Jennifer Hall, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
  • Alberto Peña, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
11-1-2013
DOI
10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2013.03.002
Keywords
  • Hirschsprung,
  • Swenson,
  • Transanal
Abstract

Purpose Swenson's procedure for Hirschsprung disease (HD) was thought to disturb fecal, urinary, and ejaculatory functions leading to other approaches including the Soave and Duhamel techniques. Given our Center's experience with a full-thickness rectal dissection for anorectal malformations, and using the new transanal concept, we chose to apply these ideas to the primary treatment of HD, and describe technical aspects and impact on fecal, urinary, and sexual function. Methods We reviewed our series of HD patients who underwent a transanal, Swenson-like rectosigmoid dissection, assessing for postoperative stricture, anastomotic leak, enterocolitis, and long-term results for bowel, urinary, and sexual function. Results Of 67 patients, 28 had a transanal resection, 5 had transanal plus laparoscopy, and 34 had transanal plus laparotomy, of those, 28 patients had a leveling colostomy prior to referral. The average length of resection was 27 cm ± 12.7 cm. Mean follow-up was 17.2 months (range 1-96 months). 44 patients were at least three years old at follow-up and were assessed for urinary and fecal continence; all (100%) had voluntary bowel movements and urinary continence. Enterocolitis occurred in 9 patients (14%) and constipation (requiring laxatives) occurred in 21 (32%). Of 24 male patients, 21 (88%) reported the occurrence of spontaneous erections post-operatively. Conclusion Our data support the fact that a modification of Swenson's original transabdominal dissection concept using the recently described transanal approach is an excellent technique for Hirschsprung, and produces excellent long-term outcomes for fecal and urinary continence, and seems to preserve erectile function. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Citation Information
Marc A. Levitt, Miller C. Hamrick, Balgopal Eradi, Andrea Bischoff, et al.. "Transanal, full-thickness, Swenson-like approach for Hirschsprung disease" Journal of Pediatric Surgery Vol. 48 Iss. 11 (2013)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/miller-hamrick/24/