Postoperative bowel function in children operated for Hirschsprung's disease in a low-income setting: Institution-based cross-sectional study

Hirschsprung's disease is a common cause of lower intestinal obstruction in newborns. It has variable postoperative outcomes affecting quality of life. The study was aimed at assessing postoperative bowel function in children with Hirschsprung's disease. It was conducted on 120 children operated for Hirschsprung's disease. A structured questionnaire for bowel function score was used and analyzed using relevant statistical tests. Of the 120 children in the study, 97 (80.8%) were male with 49 (40.8%) diagnosed during neonatal age and others by 2 years of age. Ninety-three (77.5%) of them had the classic type. Diversion colostomy was done in 104 (86.6%), and two-staged endorectal pullthrough was performed in 62 (72.5%) of cases with a 16% rate of retained aganglionosis. Postoperative continence was excellent in 46 (57%) and good in 26 (32%) with an incontinence rate of 11%. None of the outcome predictor showed significant influence. Optimal postoperative bowel function was obtained in the majority of patients with two-stage procedures, and the overall outcome of bowel function in children was not influenced by age, gender, level of aganglionosis, and type of procedure. Longer follow-up periods are required for definitive information.