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Adult Hirschsprung's disease

Results of the Duhamel's procedure

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Abstract

Eleven patients with adult Hirschsprung's disease were treated at Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH, 8 cases) and Chosun University Hospital (CUH, 3 cases) between 1985 and 1992. Of the 11 patients, seven were male. The age of the patients ranged from 11 to 30 years, and all presented with chronic constipation and recurrent faecal impactions that required periodic enemas and laxatives. The Duhamel's operation, as a single or staged procedure, was performed in all patients. Levels of aganglionosis in 9 patients were confined to the rectosigmoid colon (82%). There were three major post-operative complications. Two patients developed fistula-in-ano at the anastomotic site, and one patient developed ileus. However, these complications resolved with conservative management. The longterm results were excellent except for one patient who developed impotence. The mean frequency of bowel movements was usually once or twice a day without the aid of other treatments. Our results indicate that Duhamel's operation is a highly acceptable procedure in the management of adult Hirschsprung's disease.

Résumé

11 patients adultes porteurs d'une maladie de Hirschsprung ont été traités à l'Hôpital Universitaire National de Séoul (8 cas) et à l'Hôpital Universitaire de Chosun (3 cas) entre 1985 et 1992. Des 11 patients 7 étaient des sujets mâles. L'âge des patients variait de 11 à 30 ans et tous se présentaient avec une constipation chronique et des sujets mâles. L'âge des patients variait de 11 à 30 ans et tous se présentaient avec une constipation chronique et des impactions fécales récidivantes nécessitant des lavaments périodiques et la prise de laxatifs. L'opération de Duhamel en un temps ou en plusiers temps opératoires a été réalisée chez tous les patients. Le niveau du segment aganglionnaire était limité au rectosigmoïde chez 9 patients (82%). 3 complications postopératoires majeures sont à déplorer. 2 patients ont développé une fistule anale au niveau de la zone anastomotique et un patient a développé un iléus postopératoire. Ces complications toutefois se sont résolues par un traitement conservateur. Les résultats à long terme étaient excellents à l'exception d'un patient qui a développé une impuissance. La fréquence moyenne des exonérations était habituellement de une à deux exonérations quotidiennes sans recours à un traitement complémentaire autre. Nos résultats indiquent que l'opération de Duhamel est une intervention très satisfaisante dans le traitement dela maladie de Hirschsprung de l'adulte.

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Kim, C.Y., Park, JG., Park, K.W. et al. Adult Hirschsprung's disease. Int J Colorect Dis 10, 156–160 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00298539

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