Hirschsprung Disease

Hirschsprung disease, or congenital megacolon, is a dismotility of the bowel due to the absence of parasympathetic ganglionic cells that results in a partial bowel obstruction. Clinical criteria are age related, and the disease occurs approximately once in every 5000 live births. The goal of surgical repair is to return the bowel to normal function. Parental discharge education is essential to ensure a positive outcome that is free of complications and includes a normal lifestyle for the child.