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Assessments of anorectal myectomy for short segment hypoganglionosis in childhood.

BACKGROUND/AIMS
To clarify the significance of anorectal myectomy (ARM) in childhood patients with short segment hypoganglionosis (Hypo), we analyzed the clinical features of these patients before and after ARM.


METHODOLOGY
A consecutive series of twenty-nine patients with short segment Hypo were included in this study. These were sixteen males and thirteen females, aged between 6 and 15 years with a mean age of 9.8 years. We performed an analysis of the clinical findings and outcomes for patients with short segment Hypo before and after ARM. Stool frequencies were less than twice per week (0.5-2 per week, mean: 1.6 per week) despite the use of laxatives, suppositories, and enema before ARM.


RESULTS
About 90% of patients had an onset of constipation before the age of 6 years. In addition, significant differences were noted between 0 months < or = to <1 year and 1 year < or = to < or =15 years (P < 0.0001). There were no sexual differences. Difficulty in defecation was the most common symptom, followed by abdominal fullness, abdominal pain and soiling. In abdominal fullness and pain, there were significant differences between positive and negative groups (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0038, respectively). No patients responded to use of laxatives, suppositories, and enema before ARM. In patients after ARM, the most common outcome was good (65.5%; bowel movement every day without laxatives and no other symptoms), followed by satisfactory (20.7%; bowel movement 2-3 times per week without laxatives and no other symptoms) and poor (13.8%; no improvement) in decreasing order. Significant differences of patient numbers were noted between good and the remaining outcomes (P = 0.0181). Spontaneous evacuation without the need for laxatives, suppositories, and enema was recorded in 100% patients of good outcome, and 42.9% those of satisfactory outcome after ARM. Patients with poor outcome still required for laxatives, suppositories, and enema. Central nervous, psychological, and psychiatric disorders were recognized in patients with satisfactory outcome, and constipation was maintained to these patients. However, the necessity for medication to them was lost. Moreover, clinical symptoms disappeared. Redundant colon was only found in patients with poor outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with short segment Hypo, especially those with redundant colon, psychological, psychiatric, or central nervous disorders, may experience persistent constipation after ARM.