NEW CONCEPTS OF THE ETIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CONGENITAL MEGACOLON (HIRSCHSPRUNG'S DISEASE)

Abstract

Hirschsprung's disease, or congenital megacolon, is due to a functionally abnormal segment of bowel in the sigmoid or rectosigmoid. This can be demonstrated effectively by appropriate roentgenologic studies with barium as a contrast medium. The bowel above this abnormally functioning segment shows changes commonly found above an area of obstruction; the bowel is dilated and hypertrophied. Removal of the functionally abnormal bowel (rectum or rectosigmoid) has relieved the patients' symptoms. A new operative technique is utilized in performing this resection. The fact is stressed that these children will have to be followed for a period of several years before any claims of a permanent cure can be made.