Enterostomy-related complications in Hirschsprung's disease in a single cohort

Background Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a frequent cause of intestinal obstruction in children and may require an enterostomy. The study aims to describe the most common enterostomy-related complications in a series of patients treated in a single Center. Methods A series of consecutive HSCR patients treated or followed-up at our Institution between January 1993 and December 2016 were included. Data about HSCR type, enterostomy site, duration and complications of the stoma were recorded. Results 301 patients with HSCR were followed up. 61 had ultralong forms (TCSA/TIA), 21 had long forms (L-HSCR) and 219 had classic short forms (S-HSCR). One-hundred thirty seven patients required a stoma (100% of patients with TCSA/TIA, 66.7% with L-HSCR and 28.3% with S-HSCR). We observed 64 stoma-related complications: 36 major complications and 28 minor complications. Major complications occurred more often in long forms (P=0.037). The presence of an ileostomy was statistically associated with an increased rate of complications compared to colostomy. The longer the stoma was in site, the higher the complication rate was. Conclusions Long and ultra-long forms are associated with a longer duration of the stoma and to a major risk of stoma-related complications.