Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is characterized by the absence of ganglion cells (aganglionosis) in the distal bowel extending proximally for varying distances that results in persistent spasm in the affected bowel and functional intestinal obstruction. Patients can be classified as rectosigmoid HSCR when aganglionosis confined to the rectosigmoid and long-segment or total colonic HSCR when aganglionosis extends beyond the upper sigmoid. Aganglionosis of long-segment HSCR can extend to the descending colon, transverse colon, ascending colon, but not to the terminal ileum. To date, there is insufficient evidence to recommend a preferred or superior method for the surgical repair for long-segment HSCR. In general, a pull-through with standard of care for the intestine and mesentery, which avoids excessive resection of the colon and coloanal reconstruction, is performed for long-segment HSCR.There are reports that a significant percentage of long-segment HSCR patients continue to have difficulty with soiling and incontinence,however there were also reports long-segment HSCR patients have the same continece as rectosigmoid HSCR.The outcome of long-segment HSCR should be thoroughly evaluated. The present study was designed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of long-segment HSCR.~The long-term outcome would be indicated by bowel function SCORE.
Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is characterized by the absence of ganglion cells (aganglionosis) in the distal bowel extending proximally for varying distances that results in persistent spasm in the affected bowel and functional intestinal obstruction. Patients can be classified as rectosigmoid HSCR when aganglionosis confined to the rectosigmoid and long-segment or total colonic HSCR when aganglionosis extends beyond the upper sigmoid. Aganglionosis of long-segment HSCR can extend to the descending colon, transverse colon, ascending colon, but not to the terminal ileum. To date, there is insufficient evidence to recommend a preferred or superior method for the surgical repair for long-segment HSCR. In general, a pull-through with standard of care for the intestine and mesentery, which avoids excessive resection of the colon and coloanal reconstruction, is performed for long-segment HSCR.There are reports that a significant percentage of long-segment HSCR patients continue to have difficulty with soiling and incontinence,however there were also reports long-segment HSCR patients have the same continece as rectosigmoid HSCR.The outcome of long-segment HSCR should be thoroughly evaluated. The present study was designed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of long-segment HSCR.