Publications by authors named "Beltman L"
Introduction: Transition zone pull-through (TZPT) is incomplete removal of the aganglionic bowel/transition zone (TZ) in patients with Hirschsprung disease (HD). Evidence on which treatment generates the best long-term outcomes is lacking. The aim of this study was to compare the long-term occurrence of Hirschsprung associated enterocolitis (HAEC), requirement of interventions, functional outcomes and quality of life between patients with TZPT treated conservatively to patients with TZPT treated with redo surgery to non-TZPT patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The gold standard for diagnosing Hirschsprung disease (HD) in patients younger than 6 months is pathological examination of rectal suction biopsy (RSB). The aim of this study was to gain insight into the following: (1) complications following RSB, (2) final diagnosis of patients referred for RSB, and (3) factors associated with HD.
Methods: Patients suspected of HD referred for RSB at our center were analyzed retrospectively.
Background: Intraoperative resection level in patients with Hirschsprung disease (HD) is determined by contrast enema, surgeon's intraoperative judgement and full thickness biopsy (FTB) identifying ganglia. This study aims to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of contrast enema and FTB in determination of resection level and whether this can be improved by measuring submucosal nerve fiber diameter.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed contrast enema and intraoperative FTBs obtained in our center, determining diagnostic accuracy for level of resection.
Article Synopsis
- Rectal suction biopsy (RSB) is essential for diagnosing Hirschsprung disease (HD), and calretinin staining is gaining popularity due to its ease of use and comparable accuracy to traditional methods like acetylcholinesterase (AChE).
- This study compared the diagnostic accuracy of calretinin to AChE in RSB specimens examined by both inexperienced and experienced pathologists, revealing that calretinin provided superior sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing HD among inexperienced pathologists.
- The findings suggested that calretinin staining should be the preferred standard for diagnosing HD in RSB, as it showed higher accuracy and interobserver agreement compared to AChE for less experienced medical professionals.
Background: Patients with Hirschsprung disease (HD) mostly undergo surgery around the age of three to six months. While awaiting surgery, therapy to treat the obstruction such as transanal irrigation (TAI) or laxatives is applied. The aim of this study was to gain insight in the prevalence and severity of complications occurring while awaiting surgery and to identify patient characteristics associated with the development of these complications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Transanal endorectal pull-through (TERPT) is a common surgical procedure in Hirschsprung disease (HD). Aim of this study was to gain insight in the prevalence and severity of postoperative complications within 30-days after TERPT and to identify patient and perioperative characteristics, associated with the development of short-term postoperative complications.
Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed data of children with HD and treated with TERPT in our center between 2005 and 2020.