Modified Duhamel's Two-Staged Procedure for Hirschsprung's Disease: Further Modifications for Improved Outcomes.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: We studied the short- and long-term outcomes and quality of life (QOL) in patients undergoing a two-staged modified Duhamel's procedure for Hirschsprung's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who had undergone this modified procedure, with initial Hartmann's procedure based on contrast enema, followed by bowel preparation and low colo-anal anastomosis below the dentate line were included. The patient who underwent this procedure over 10 years with a minimum 2-year follow-up were analysed based on an interview-based questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 152 patients, 69 responded. Mean age at the time of interview was 7.72 ± 3.04 years with mean follow-up of 4.9 years (2-11 years). Perineal excoriation and soiling was present in 60.9% and 36.2% of patients initially which reduced to 0 and 4.3% by the end of 2 years. In the first 6 months, postoperative period, 15.9% of patients had constipation and 78.2% had altered stool consistency. Good fecal continence score was present in 97.1% of patients in the long term. About 95.4% had good QOL scores. There was no mortality in this series. CONCLUSIONS: Although short-term outcomes showed altered bowel function, soiling, and perineal excoriation, this improved significantly in the long term, with good QOL scores in the majority.

Does all small bowel intussusception need exploration?

Small bowel intussusception (SBI) in infants and children are ususally associated with a lead point. With increased use of radiological investigations, more idiopathic SBIs are identified. As reduction by hydrostatic or air enema are less successful in these cases, most of them require surgical exploration in children. However, now many cases of SBI have been found to reduce spontaneously. We report two cases of SBI with spontaneous reduction and review the literature for the management guidelines.