Functional outcomes in Hirschsprung disease patients after transabdominal Soave and Duhamel procedures

BACKGROUND: Several pull-through procedures have been described for Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) with varying functional outcomes. The voluntary bowel movement (VBM) and the absence of soiling or constipation after pull-through remain the most important markers of good outcome. We aimed to compare the functional outcomes in HSCR patients following Soave and Duhamel procedures. METHODS: Krickenbeck classification was utilized to determine VBM, soiling and constipation for patients who underwent Soave and Duhamel pull-through at Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Indonesia from 2013 to 2016. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were ascertained (Soave: 23 males and 2 females vs. Duhamel: 22 males and 6 females, p = 0.26). Ninety-three and 88% patients had a VBM following Duhamel and Soave pull-through, respectively (p = 0.66). Constipation frequency was significantly higher in Soave than Duhamel groups (24% vs. 4%; p = 0.04) with OR of 8.5 (95% CI = 1.0–76.7), whereas soiling rate was similar between Duhamel (21%) and Soave (8%) groups (p = 0.26). Furthermore, the risk of constipation was increased ~ 21.7-fold in female patients after Soave procedure and was almost statistically significant (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The constipation rate is higher in patients who underwent Soave than Duhamel procedure, but the VBM and soiling frequencies are similar. The constipation risk following Soave pull-through might be increased by the female gender. Furthermore, a multicenter study with a larger sample of patients is necessary to clarify and confirm our findings.