Risk factors for the development of post-operative enterocolitis in short segment Hirschsprung's disease

Aim of the studyThe objective of this study is to identify risk factors associated with the development of post-operative enterocolitis (HAEC), in short segment Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR-S).MethodsA retrospective study was carried out for post-operative patients with HSCR-S from 1997 to 2017. HSCR-S was defined as the most proximal extension of aganglionosis limited to the sigmoid colon. An episode of HAEC was defined as the presence of (1) vomiting or explosive diarrhea; (2) abdominal distension; (3) fever and (4) leukocytosis. Risk factors for the development of HACE were determined using multivariate logistic regression.Main resultsThe medical records of 96 patients were reviewed. The overall incidence of HAEC was 20.8% (n=20) and 65.0% (n=13) of HAEC occurred within the first year of operation. After a univariate logistic regression analysis, three risk factors for HAEC were identified: (1) presence of other major anomalies [OR: 1.43 (1.12-2.32), p=0.041]; (2) creation of pre-operative defunctioning stoma [OR: 2.28 (1.47-3.23), p=0.035]; (3) extension of aganglionosis to the sigmoid colon [OR: 1.89 (1.05-3.19), p=0.049]. After multivariate logistic regression analysis, a significant association was demonstrated for creation of pre-operative defunctioning stoma [OR: 1.81 (1.08-3.22), p=0.045] and extension of aganglionosis to the sigmoid colon [OR: 1.91 (1.37-2.98), p=0.038].ConclusionsThe requirement of pre-operative defunctioning stoma and a more proximal extension of aganglionosis are risk factors for the development of post-operative HAEC in HSCR-S. Patients with these risk factors should be closely followed up especially during the first year after the operation.