A Trial on Conservative Treatment for Infants' Hirschsprung Disease

A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial of Conservative Versus Surgery Treatment of Normal and Short-segment Hirschsprung Disease for Infants

The present study was designed to compare the efficacy of conservative treatment to operative treatment for improvement of constipation symptoms in infants with short or normal-segment Hirschsprung disease.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Hard or firm stools for twice or less per week
• Age were from newborn to 3 months
• Histochemical acetylcholinesterase reaction (AChE) in rectal mucosa was positive
• The narrowed distal bowel on barium enema was characterized as normal or short-segment Hirschsprung disease with a 24h barium retention

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children >3months of age
• Patients presented severe inflammation or malnutrition, unconsciousness, and symptoms of a ruptured hollow viscus
• Barium enema showed long-segment or total colonic aganglionic bowel