Risk factors for short-term complications graded by Clavien-Dindo after transanal endorectal pull-through in patients with Hirschsprung disease

Lieke Beltman, Daniëlle Roorda, Manouk Backes, Jaap Oosterlaan, L W Ernest van Heurn, Joep P M Derikx

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4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: 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. Complications emerging within 30-days after surgery were assessed using Clavien-Dindo (CD). Patient and perioperative characteristic as predictor of a complication were tested using (multivariable) logistic regression analysis. Results: Twenty-two of 106 (21%) included patients (17 transanal only; 77 laparoscopic-assisted; 12 laparotomy-assisted) developed 35 complications, including two patients (1.8%) that deceased. We suspect postoperative rectal irrigation leading to perforation as cause of death in both patients. Six patients (6%) had a minor (CD<3) and 16 patients (15%) a major (CD≥3) complication. Anastomotic leakage (n = 4, 11%), abdominal abscess (n = 3, 9%) and anastomotic stricture (n = 3,9%) occurred most frequently. Predictive factors for developing a complication were older age at time of surgery (OR 1.03 1.00–1.01, p = 0.041), laparotomy-assisted surgery (OR 12.65, CI 1.712–93.07, p = 0.013) and long-segment HD (OR 4.09 CI 1.09–15.39, p = 0.037). Conclusions: We found a CD-graded short-term postoperative complication rate of 21% following TERPT, reporting anastomotic complications most frequently. In patients at risk a diverting stoma should be considered. We suspect postoperative rectal irrigation being the cause of two lethal perforations. Therefore, we recommend to place a rectal transanastomotic tube in all patients receiving TERPT. Level of Evidence: Level III.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Pediatric Surgery
Early online date1 Aug 2021
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 1 Aug 2021

Keywords

  • Abbreviations
  • CD
  • Clavien-Dindo
  • Complications
  • Hirschsprung disease
  • TERPT
  • Transanal endorectal pull-through
  • clavien-dindo
  • transanal endorectal pull-through

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