Bălănescu R. 1, Topor Laura 1, Nedelea S. 2
1 Surgery Clinic of “Grigore Alexandrescu” Emergency Hospital for Children
2 Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
Abstract
Background. Hirschsprung disease is a relatively rare condition, initially described as a cause of constipation in early infancy, and it is managed by pediatric surgeons. Significant advances have been made in understanding its etiologies in the last decade, especially with the explosion of molecular genetic techniques and early diagnosis. The surgical management has progressed from a two- or three-stage procedure to a primary operation. Methods. This retrospective study involves 74 patients diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s Disease at the Surgery Clinic of “Grigore Alexandrescu” Emergency Hospital for Children from 1.1.2000 to 1.1.2011. For better analysis of diagnosis and treatment evolution, the group was split according to admission date into two smaller groups, each one containing 37 patients.Results. Age at dignosis has decreased in 2006-2011 interval, 32.4% of patients being newborns and 24.3% infants. In 2000-2005 only 24.3% were newborns and 21.6% infants. This results are correlated with a shorter hospital stay and period from diagnosis to surgery. Our results are all compared with the literature dates at the moment. Conclusion. Our clinic has improved its diagnosis and treatment methods for HD during the last 11 years. The age at diagnosis has decreased, along with the hospital stay and the time from diagnosis to surgery. Different procedures are used according to the case. As a result, patients are getting better and more suitable treatment with lower costs and lesser complications. Follow-up studies have shown very good results in long-term quality of life.