Hirschsprung's disease: long-term results of the original Duhamel operation.

Thirty children with Hirschsprung's disease were operated on according to Duhamel's original procedure during the period 1959-1963. At follow-up examination in 1965, fecaloma formation and functional disturbances, mainly soiling, were common. At subsequent follow-up study in 1978, it was found that these disorders had either decreased markedly or completely disappeared. On the basis of this experience, it is concluded that fecaloma is amenable to treatment and does not constitute a long-term problem; soiling, although initially usual, improves substantially with time; urinary incontinence is rare, and transient and rectal sensation is not impaired.