MANAGEMENT OF HIRSCHSPRUNG'S DISEASE THROUGH SINGLE-STAGE MODIFIED DUHAMEL PROCEDURE: A 16-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract Background Scientific data on the single-stage modified Duhamel procedure in the management of Hirschsprung’s Disease (HD) is limited. Long-term data on this procedure will help in making informed and evidence-based decisions regarding management of HD. Objectives The present study aimed to present the data on outcomes from a large cohort of paediatric HD patients undergoing a single-stage modified Duhamel procedure in an Indian tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a paediatric surgical unit of a tertiary hospital in Mumbai, India. The study period extended from October 2008 to December 2024. A manual data extraction from hospital records was performed by the researchers using a structured format. The data included demographic information, clinical presentation, intraoperative parameters, and post-operative outcomes. Descriptive statistics were utilised to summarise the data. Categorical variables such as sex, level of aganglionosis, and complication rates were expressed as absolute numbers and percentages. Continuous variables including weight at surgery, operative time, blood loss, and hospital stay were summarised using means, medians, and ranges. Results A cohort of 282 Hirschsprung's disease patients treated with the single-stage modified Duhamel procedure showed a male predominance (58.5%) and mainly rectosigmoid aganglionosis (62.1%). Average surgery age was 4.2 years, with complications including minor surgical site infections (6.03%) and enterocolitis (7.09%), and 1.06% mortality. Conclusion The single-stage modified Duhamel procedure is a safe and effective surgical approach for Hirschsprung’s disease, particularly in rectosigmoid cases. It offers acceptable perioperative outcomes, low complication rates, and minimal mortality.