Prospective analysis of primary modified Georgeson’s laparoscopy-assisted endorectal pull-through for Hirschsprung’s disease: short- to mid-term results

The aim of this study was to analyze the short- to mid-term outcome of primary modified Georgeson’s laparoscopy-assisted endorectal pull-through (PMGLEPT) for Hirschsprung’s disease (HD). HD patients treated by PMGLEPT were evaluated prospectively by a single surgeon using a standard structured questionnaire to assess complications, incidence of enterocolitis, and evaluate continence (CE). CE involved scoring five parameters (frequency of motions, severity of staining/soiling, severity of perianal erosions, anal shape, and requirement for medications) on a 3-point scale (0, 1, and 2 for each parameter). Thus, scores for CE were: 10 = normal, 8–9 = good, 6–7 = fair, and 0–5 = poor. Our modifications include transanal rectal dissection starting below or on the dentate line, near total excision of the posterior rectal cuff, and intraoperative acetylcholinesterase staining to accurately identify normal colon. Patients with total colon aganglionosis or trisomy-21 were excluded, leaving 33 cases of PMGLEPT performed between 1997 and 2004. Mean operative age was 11.0 months. Follow-up ranged from 8 months to 7 years (mean 4.0 years). There were no intraoperative complications. Post-PMGLEP, bowel obstruction occurred in 1 subject who required middle colic division for pull-through (PT), and enterocolitis occurred in 3 (9.1%) of 33 patients. In 20 subjects aged over 3 years with a follow-up period of more than 12 months, final CE was normal in 5, good in 10, fair in 4, and poor in 1, despite staining/soiling being present in 12 (60%) of 20 subjects. None of the 33 had constipation. Our results suggest that PMGLEPT is safe with acceptable outcome in the short- to mid-term. However, careful long-term follow-up is mandatory as there appears to be a relatively high incidence of staining/soiling on short- to mid-term follow-up.