Current diagnosis and treatment of hirschsprung's disease in children

Abstract

The paper reviews recent studies that evaluate the present-day concept concerning Hirschsprung's disease in children as well as current diagnostic and treatment methods of this pathology. Hirschsprung's disease is a relatively common disease in the pediatric surgery. The literature analysis has shown that if the pathogenesis of the disease is no longer considered controversial entity, the application of new methods of examination and surgical treatment still remains complex and ambiguous. The use of one or another method of diagnosis and treatment is thought to be determined mainly by the possibilities and preferences of medical establishment. At the same time, the functional results of surgical treatment leave much to be desired due to the absence of clearly defined terms for surgical correction of the defect, as well as the unresolved issues of choice of operative treatment method appropriated for each specific child. The analysis of the literature data has shown the possibility of solving these problems by developing a rational program of examination, taking into account all existing complications and determining the appropriate treatment tactics. Radical one-stage surgical treatment of Hirschsprung's disease with the use of minimally invasive methods is becoming more widespread. Current surgical methods for treating Hirschsprung's disease in infant and young children are essential in reducing morbidity and mortality associated with this disease.