ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the operation timing of newborns with rectosigmoid Hirschsprung's disease (HD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From March 2013 to September 2015, 35 newborns diagnosed as rectosigmoid HD in our department were prospectively and randomly divided into 2 groups: less than 3 months treatment group (18 cases) and more than 3 months treatment group (17 cases, conservative treatment for 3 months). They all underwent laparoscopic-assisted transanal endorectal pull-through (LATEP) (modified Soave) procedure. Clinical data, perioperative conditions, postoperative complication, postoperative anal function evaluated by Wingspread score and barium enema were compared between two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The baseline data of two groups were comparable (all P>0.05). All the cases completed single-stage LATEP procedure successfully without conversion to open operation. Compared with more than 3 months treatment group, preoperative bowel preparation time and operation time were significantly shorter [(6.2±3.3) vs. (9.3±4.1) days, P=0.042; (95±15) vs.(121±23) minutes, P=0.029, respectively], intra-operative blood loss was significantly less [(13±3) ml vs. (22±5) ml, P=0.036], length of resected bowel was significantly shorter [(16±5) cm vs.(23±8) cm, P=0.033], and bowel movement recovery time, parenteral nutrition time, hospital stay were also significantly shorter [(2.3±0.5) vs. (2.9±0.6) days, P=0.046; (5.1±2.1) vs. (5.9±2.3) days, P=0.048; (12.9±3.3) vs. (15.8±4.3) days, P=0.049, respectively] in less than 3 months treatment group. No short-term complications, such as anastomotic leak, interlayer infection and abdominal infection occurred in both groups. The follow-up period ranged from 2 months to 24 months. Only the incidence of perianal excoriation was significantly higher in less than 3 months treatment group compared with more than 3 months treatment group [50.0%(9/18) vs. 23.5%(4/17), P=0.045]. Wingspread score results at 6 and 12 months after operation showed excellent rate of postoperative anal function, which was not significantly different between two groups[ <3 months group : 81.3%(13/16) and 92.9%(13/14); >3 months group: 85.7%(12/14) and 92.3%(12/13), all P>0.05]. Postoperative barium enema results at 6 and 12 months after operation all showed normal shape of colon without residue of barium.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>For newborns with rectosigmoid HD, single-stage definitive operation performed at the age less than 3 months has the advantages of shorter preoperative preparation time, less operating injury, shorter resected bowel, and faster postoperative recovery as compared to the age more than 3 months. If rectosigmoid HD is definitively diagnosed, early operation is suggested to perform at the age less than 3 months.</p>