Hirschsprung's Disease with Dr. Marc Levitt

Topic overview

Key takeaways

• Hirschsprung disease results from absent ganglion cells in the distal colon, causing functional obstruction in newborns.
• Diagnosis requires rectal biopsy showing absence of ganglion cells; contrast enema shows transition zone between normal and aganglionic bowel.
• Definitive treatment is pull-through surgery to remove aganglionic segment and bring normal bowel down to the anus.
• Postoperative complications include enterocolitis, stricture, and bowel dysfunction requiring long-term follow-up and management.
• Early recognition and surgical intervention improve outcomes; delayed diagnosis increases risk of toxic megacolon and perforation.

Keywords

Hashtags