Transanal endorectal pull-through for Hirschsprung disease: technique, controversies, pearls, pitfalls, and an organized approach to the management of postoperative obstructive symptoms

Abstract

The transanal endorectal pull-through emerged in the late 1990s as the most recent step in the evolution of the surgical correction of Hirschsprung disease. This operation provides the advantages of a minimal access approach with shorter hospital stay, shorter time to full feeding, less pain, and improved cosmesis with excellent outcomes. This article will review the technical principles of the transanal endorectal pull-through, and will address ongoing controversies in the application of this technique. We will also discuss an organized approach to the problem of obstructive symptoms that may affect a subgroup of patients after the transanal pull-through.