Transanal Endorectal vs. Duhamel Pull-Through for Hirschsprung's Disease

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the early functional outcome for patients with rectosigmoid Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is comparable for the Duhamel pull-through procedure and the transanal endorectal pull-through (TERPT) procedure, with less discomfort for the patient postoperatively after the TERPT technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eleven patients operated on with the TERPT technique (T Group) were prospectively registered and compared retrospectively with 18 patients operated on with the Duhamel pull-through (D Group). Data recorded included patient demographics, operative treatment, complications, hospital stay and bowel functions. The follow-up time was limited to 24 months. RESULTS: The T Group started oral feeding sooner, their bowel movements started sooner and they had less need for analgesia postoperatively and a significantly shorter hospital stay. 71% of the patients in the D Group needed re-intervention compared to only 18% of the T Group. Enterocolitis was seen in two patients in both groups. At the last clinical control ten patients had constipation (59%) and three had soiling (18%) in the D Group. Three patients in the T Group had constipation (27%) and one had soiling (9%). CONCLUSION: Our results support the use of the TERPT method rather than the Duhamel pull-through for rectosigmoid HD.