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Enterocolitis in Hirschsprung's disease

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Abstract

During the 5 years 1985–1989, 24 (32%) of 76 patients treated for Hirschsprung's disease (HD) developed enterocolitis, this being present at the time of diagnosis in 10 (13%) infants, 7 of whom were neonates. HD presented as necrotizing enterocolitis in 5 neonates, 4 of whom were premature. The enterocolitis developed postoperatively in 14 (18%) patients, in 7 after an enterostomy and in 7 after a pull-through procedure. Recurrent episodes of enterocolitis occurred in 4 of the patients who developed postoperative enterocolitis. The risk of enterocolitis was increased in girls, in patients with associated Down's syndrome, those with a family history of HD, and those managed by an endorectal pull-through procedure. The Duhamel procedure was associated with a low (5%) incidence of postoperative enterocolitis. Long-segment aganglionosis was not associated with an increased risk of enterocolitis and preoperative enterocolitis conferred no increased risk of postoperative enterocolitis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children, London, UK

    P. M. R. Carneiro, R. J. Brereton, D. P. Drake, E. M. Kiely, L. Spitz & R. Turnock

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  1. P. M. R. Carneiro
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  2. R. J. Brereton
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  3. D. P. Drake
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  4. E. M. Kiely
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  5. L. Spitz
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  6. R. Turnock
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Carneiro, P.M.R., Brereton, R.J., Drake, D.P. et al. Enterocolitis in Hirschsprung's disease. Pediatr Surg Int 7, 356–360 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176592

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176592

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