ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Total colonic Hirschsprung's disease (TCHD) presents a postoperative challenge due to multiple stools and perineal rash. We propose a protocol developed by pediatric surgeons and ostomy nurses to help prevent and treat hypermotility and severe perineal rash, especially in younger children who are not toilet trained. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our TCHD patients' charts from 2014 to 2017. All patients received a prescribed protocol for the treatment of hypermotility and perineal rash. We describe patients who underwent their pull through before and after the age of urine toilet training, and assessed the number of bowel movements, the perineal skin status, and growth. RESULTS: We treated 25 patients. Out of 25, 9 patients received a straight ileoanal pull through before the age of 18 months. Nine of 25 patients presented for a second opinion and had redo pull through. The remaining seven presented for bowel management after having a pull through at another institution. All these were treated following the hypermotility protocol. In total, 19 of 25 patients were not toilet trained. The mean number of bowel movements in all groups was 4 (3-5). All had a resolution of perineal rash and liquid stools after 3 months. Eleven of the 25 patients presented with failure to thrive. Two older patients experienced severe proctalgia requiring replacement of the ileostomy. CONCLUSION: TCHD patients who underwent definitive pull through had nine high incidence of multiple stool, perineal rash, and low growth. With the implementation of bowel management care to slow the stools and a perineal skin protocol to treat the skin, we believe that these symptoms can be minimized even in patients who are not toilet trained. Since the implementation of this protocol, we have changed our practice to perform the pull through in such patients between the age of 6 and 18 months.
Subject(s)
Diarrhea/therapy , Exanthema/therapy , Hirschsprung Disease/surgery , Perioperative Care/methods , Postoperative Complications/therapy , Age Factors , Child , Child, Preschool , Clinical Protocols , Combined Modality Therapy , Diarrhea/etiology , Exanthema/etiology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Infant , Male , Retrospective Studies , Toilet Training , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Previous research in children with Hirschsprung's disease (HD) and Down's syndrome (DS) has focused on colorectal outcomes. We set out to review urinary outcomes in this patient group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of all patients aged five years and older with HD were reviewed, and patients and caregivers filled out the Vancouver Symptom Score at intake, which is designed and validated to diagnose dysfunctional elimination syndrome. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients with HD were included in this study. Of these, 16 (15%) patients had DS. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of enterocolitis or colorectal symptoms between patients with or without DS. Five of 88 (6%) patients without DS and 7 of 16 (44%) (p = 0.00001) with DS reported having urinary accidents. Patients with HD and DS scored higher on the Vancouver score (9 vs. 17.5; p = 0.007), indicating more severe urinary symptoms. Patients who also reported fecal accidents scored significantly higher on the Vancouver (12 vs. 9; n = 61; p = 0.016), indicating more problems. CONCLUSION: Patients with DS appear to be a unique subset of HD patients who have a higher prevalence of urinary symptoms after surgery. In the postoperative care of patients with HD and DS, a strong focus should be placed on postoperative urinary care in addition to their bowel care. This could significantly ease care and contribute to the quality of life of the parents and the patient.
