RESULTS OF A MODIFIED DUHAMEL OPERATION FOR HIRSCHSPRUNGS-DISEASE USING THE GIA STAPLER

Thirty-six patients with Hirschsprung's disease underwent surgery usin g modified Duhamel operation with the GIA (gastrointestinal autosuture ) stapler over a 12-year period at our institution. We now present our experience from the perspective of postoperative complications and an orectal function. Postoperative complications included minimal anal bl eeding due to the GIA stapler in 2 patients, and mild enterocolitis in 6 patients. Severe complications such as anastomotic leakage or stric ture were not observed in our series. Overall, postoperative anorectal function was good in patients without Down's syndrome or cerebral pal sy. Followup of our patients showed that a good quality of life was ac hieved during childhood. We conclude, therefore, that the modified Duh amel operation, with the use of the CIA stapler, is a safe and easy pr ocedure for correction of Hirschsprung's disease.