Abstract
The long-term results of Rehbein's method were studied in view of our own experience with 51 children who were treated surgically between 1970 and 1985 for Hirschsprung's disease at the Pediatric Surgical Centre in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Although good long-term results were obtained in 80% of the children, a large number of cases required very intensive postoperative care for quite some time. Fourteen percent still use laxatives regularly. We compared our results to those of other authors who had also used Rehbein's method; no significant difference was observed. In comparison with the results obtained via other surgical methods, those of Rehbein's operation seem even slightly better. Contrary to the suggestions generally made in textbooks and publications, the postoperative course of Hirschsprung's disease is not always problem-free. As yet, we have found insufficient grounds for changing our surgical technique.
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Joosten, K.F.M., Festen, C. & Staak, F.H.J.M.v.d. Is Rehbein's operation an obsolete method of treating Hirschsprung's disease?. Pediatr Surg Int 3, 204–207 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00182789
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00182789