Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis: prevention and therapy

• Published in: Seminars in pediatric surgery Vol. 21; no. 4; pp. 328 - 335
• Main Authors: Frykman, Philip K., MD, PhD, FACS, FAAP, Short, Scott S., MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.11.2012
• Subjects: Aganglionosis; Anal Canal - surgery; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Botulinum Toxins - therapeutic use; Combined Modality Therapy; Constriction, Pathologic - etiology; Constriction, Pathologic - prevention & control; Dilatation; Enterocolitis; Enterocolitis - diagnosis; Enterocolitis - etiology; Enterocolitis - prevention & control; Enterocolitis - therapy; Enterostomy; Hirschsprung disease; Hirschsprung Disease - complications; Hirschsprung Disease - diagnosis; Hirschsprung Disease - surgery; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases - diagnosis; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases - etiology; Neuromuscular Agents - therapeutic use; Pediatrics; Postoperative Complications - prevention & control; Probiotics - therapeutic use; Rectal stricture; Recurrence; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Surgery; Therapeutic Irrigation; Trisomy 21; Trisomy 21; Aganglionosis; Rectal stricture; Enterocolitis; Hirschsprung disease
• ISSN: 1055-8586; 1532-9453
• DOI: 10.1053/j.sempedsurg.2012.07.007

Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis remains the greatest cause of morbidity and mortality in children with Hirschsprung disease. This chapter details the various approaches used to treat and prevent this disease process. This includes prevention of complications, such as stricture formation, prophylaxis with rectal washouts, and identification of high-risk individuals. The chapter also details approaches to diagnose Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis as well as to exclude other etiologies.