Clinical Profile and Surgical Outcomes of Hirschsprung's Disease in Benghazi: A Retro spective Study (2019-2024).

Abstract

Hirschsprung’s disease (HSD) is a congenital disorder of the enteric nervous system (ENS) due
to defective migration of neural crest cells, resulting in a segment of the colon without ganglion
cells which leads to functional obstruction of the intestines. The disease affects 1 in 5,000 live
births, with males being more commonly affected. Surgical resection is often required for man
agement, although 30-50% of patients may experience persistent symptoms. This study aims to
evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, extent of aganglionosis, and surgical out
comes of pediatric Hirschsprung’s disease at Benghazi Children’s Hospital (2019–2024), with
particular focus on gender differences and complications such as Hirschsprung-associated en
terocolitis. A retrospective study was carried out by reviewing the medical records of 116 pa
tients who were diagnosed with Hirschsprung disease and came for follow-up to receive the de
signed treatment in the Pediatric Surgery Department at Benghazi Children’s Hospital between
2019-2024. Of the 116 patients, 88 were males, and 28 were females, with a predominant age of
1-5 years old. Most of the patients had short-segment disease (75%) and were diagnosed with
rectal biopsy (93%). Colostomy was performed as a temporary measure in most of the cases
(72%), with reported complications of enterocolitis in 56%. This 5 years study suggests a higher
incidence of HSD in Benghazi and the importance of increasing public awareness of the symp
toms can promote early medical visits and early diagnosis in the neonatal period which may re
duce the complexity of the disease and the need for multiple surgeries