An improved technique for Soave trans-anal pull-through.

Aim: To describe a new technique for the Soave trans-anal pull-through.

Method: After the mucosectomy during a Soave's procedure, a laparoscopic wound retractor was used to line the distal rectal segment to facilitate delivery of the proximal bowel through a narrow scarred pelvis.

Results: The technique greatly assisted delivery of the proximal bowel and helped prevent mesenteric injury.

Conclusion: Soave trans-anal pull-through is a difficult operation that is largely confined to specialist centres. We describe an improvement to the technique that greatly facilitates the procedure.