What Is the Treatment of Hirschsprung's Disease Before Pull-Through Surgery?

Hirschsprung's disease causes functional bowel obstruction that must be actively managed in the period leading up to definitive surgical repair. The primary goal is safe, effective bowel decompression to bridge the patient to the pull-through operation.

Clinical Situation

The patient has Hirschsprung's disease with functional bowel obstruction. Management is required during the pre-operative period, prior to the definitive pull-through procedure.

Treatment Approach

Management involves a specific rectal irrigation technique using physiological saline, carried out on a regular daily schedule to achieve and maintain bowel decompression. The full protocol — including frequency, technique details, and criteria for continuation — is available via the structured regimen below.

Complete regimen details, dosing schedule, and clinical decision points are in the full protocol.

Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens

References

DOI: 10.1186/s13023-020-01362-3

Patients should receive saline rectal irrigations 1–3 times per day to decompress the bowel until the definitive pull-through operation.
Rectal irrigations with physiological saline are performed with a soft rectal tube one to three times a day.

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