Long-term Follow-up of Patients with Hirschsprung Disease: Unusual Late Complications After Pull-through

Abstract

Background: A large number of patients who underwent pull-through surgery due to Hirschsprung's disease (HD) were not followed up properly and they suffered from many complications such as fecal soiling, constipation, and etc. Although some of these complications may relief over time, it is rational to consider an evaluative protocol to identify anatomical or pathological complications in these patients. Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate and introduce these catastrophic complications. Method: In this historical cohort study, 193 patients with HD who had undergone pull- through surgery between 2006 to 2013 were considered. All files and questionnaires were used to collect patients' information and patients were physically examined individually. The mean duration of the follow-up was 96.4±17.2 months ranging from 60 to 144 months The follow-up performed for all patients via the outpatient clinics or by telephone. All statistical information was analyzed by SPSS software version 17. Results: Results: At first presentation, intestinal obstruction was more frequent than constipation. The most common involved segment was in rectosigmoid. The most common early postoperative complication was stricture in anal canal and the most common late complications were constipation and focal soiling. Conclusion: Although surgical advancements, a large number of patients underwent surgical procedures due to HD experience long term complications. Surgical treatment of HD generally present with high-quality outcome and the majority of children survive in satisfactory situation for long time but occasionally pediatric surgeons meet head-on catastrophic complication in these patients that require extended team work to be resolved