Neonatal Soave endorectal pull-through for Hirschsprung's disease.

In October 1994 we changed our management of neonatal Hirschsprung's disease from a staged procedure after initial colostomy to a neonatal single-stage Soave endorectal pull-through (SERPT) without a colostomy. We report on our experience with the first 12 neonatal SERPTs, comparing them retrospectively with a consecutive series of 12 patients managed with initial colostomy, followed by a SERPT months later. A neonatal SERPT proved to be an easier and quicker procedure than the same procedure in the older child. Patients could be discharged earlier and fewer complications were encountered; in addition a colostomy was avoided. The cosmetic result and parental acceptance were excellent. At the same time the cost was less than half compared with the staged group. At this stage of follow-up functional results are comparable with previous staged pull-through procedures.