Adult Hirschsprung's disease in Jamaica: operative treatment and outcome.

Aim: This study reviewed the operative management and outcome of patients with adult Hirschsprung's disease treated at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.

Method: The case notes for 11 patients with adult Hirschsprung's disease, treated operatively between January 1986 and December 2007, were reviewed and data on preoperative diagnosis, operative procedures and postoperative complications were retrieved.

Results: Diagnosis was by open rectal biopsy in nine patients and by rectal suction biopsy in two patients. The time taken for preoperative bowel preparation ranged from 10 to 35 days, and colostomy was required in three patients to facilitate bowel cleansing. The Soave and Swenson procedures were used in six and five patients, respectively, leading to anastomotic stricture in one patient treated using the Soave procedure and to leakage in two patients treated using the Swenson procedure. All procedures took longer than 300 min, and 300-800 ml of blood or plasma was transfused.

Conclusion: Therapeutic procedures for adult Hirschsprung's disease may result in life-threatening anastamotic complications. A protective colostomy is recommended when Swenson's procedure is used.