Adolescents and young adults with Hirschsprung's disease.

A majority of children and adolescents who have successful surgery to resect colon affected by Hirschsprung's disease suffer from digestive disorders, defecation problems, or both into adult life. In those with persistent symptoms following Hirschsprung's surgery, colon manometry facilitates a physiologic explanation for symptoms and guides treatment. Only a few patients born with Hirschsprung's disease make it to adult age before diagnosis and surgery, but their management does not differ from that of children with Hirschsprung's disease. The quality of life for patients with Hirschsprung's disease depends on psychosocial factors and not on childhood suffering or chronic symptoms.