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NCT Number: NCT06880666

Minimally Invasive Surgical Intervention for Hirschsprung Disease

Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is one of the most common congenital conditions, with a global incidence of 1/5000 newborns; the prevalence in the Vietnamese population is even higher. The absence of enteric ganglia in the distal bowel causes intestinal obstruction and delayed meconium passage in newborns, as well as failure of normal defecation later in life. If left untreated, HD can lead to life complications such as enterocolitis and even death. Standard treatment involves surgical resection of the affected bowel segment, with minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques offering reduced postoperative complications, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery compared to open surgery. Since 2012, the National Children Hospital has been the first institution in Vietnam to routinely use the minimally invasive surgical approach for HD. However, due to a lack of research funding and patients' financial constraints to travel to post-operative treatment centers, there has yet to be a publication addressing the long-term outcomes and associated abnormalities of all patients treated with SILS. Thus, the purpose of this study is to report on the safety, efficacy, and long-term functional outcomes and cosmesis results of minimally invasive surgeries performed on HD neonatal patients at The National Children's Hospital from 2020 to 2021, thus optimize surgical management and improve patient outcomes in a lower-middle-income country setting.

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Key information

Conditions

Hirschsprung Disease Colonic Diseases Congenital Abnormalities Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Digestive System Abnormalities Digestive System Diseases Gastrointestinal Diseases Intestinal Diseases Megacolon

Age range

Up to 18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Department of Surgery, The National Children Hospital

Hanoi, Vietnam

About this study

Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is one of the most common congenital disorders affecting the gastrointestinal tract, with a global incidence of approximately 1 in 5,000 live births. However, studies suggest that the prevalence is notably higher in the Vietnamese population. The condition arises due to the absence of enteric ganglion cells in the distal colon, leading to a functional obstruction that prevents normal bowel motility. This defect results in delayed meconium passage in newborns, severe constipation, abdominal distension, and feeding intolerance. If left untreated, HD can progress to life-threatening complications such as Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC), bowel perforation, sepsis, and even death.

Surgical intervention remains the mainstay of treatment for HD, with the goal of resecting the aganglionic bowel segment and restoring normal intestinal function. Traditionally, open pull-through procedures were the standard approach, but advancements in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) have led to the widespread adoption of laparoscopic techniques. Georgeson's traditional three-port laparoscopic rectal pull-through technique, first introduced in 1995, has been widely used as the standard treatment for HD. The first case of single-incision laparoscopic assisted rectal pull-through (SILS) surgery for HD was published in 2010, in which six patients who underwent SILS all had positive outcomes and excellent cosmesis. Compared to conventional open surgery, laparoscopic approaches offer several benefits, including reduced postoperative pain, fewer wound-related complications, shorter hospital stays, improved cosmetic outcomes, and faster overall recovery. Despite the promising outcomes of minimally invasive surgical intervention, 15 years after the first reported case, only a few articles (a total of 9 articles reported in Pubmed) have been published to evaluate SILS in HD.

Since 2012, the Vietnam National Children's Hospital (NCH) has been a pioneer in the routine use of the minimally invasive surgical technique for the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease in Vietnam. However, despite over a decade of experience with this method, research on long-term outcomes in Vietnamese patients remains scarce. A major challenge has been the limited availability of research funding and the financial difficulties faced by many families, which prevent regular postoperative follow-ups and comprehensive long-term studies. As a result, there is currently no published data evaluating the long-term safety, efficacy, and potential postoperative complications associated with minimally invasive intervention for HD in this specific patient population.

The primary objective of this study is to bridge this knowledge gap by systematically analyzing the outcomes of pediatric patients who underwent minimally invasive surgical intervention for Hirschsprung's disease at NCH between 2020 and 2021. The study aims to assess key factors such as perioperative outcomes, postoperative bowel function, the incidence of complications such as anastomotic stricture or incontinence, associated abnormalities/ comorbidities, cosmesis, and quality of life improvements. By providing robust clinical evidence, this research will contribute to optimizing surgical management strategies for Hirschsprung's disease in resource-limited settings, ultimately improving patient outcomes and guiding future surgical practices in Vietnam and other LMICs.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age: From 1 to 28 days old
  • Diagnosis: Hirschsprung disease was diagnosed based on clinical presentation, intraoperative frozen section biopsy, and postoperative histopathological findings showing absence of ganglion cells.
  • Surgical Approach: Patients underwent SILEP through a single periumbilical incision, with no additional abdominal incisions. All surgeries were conducted by the same team, and postoperative care was provided according to a standardized protocol.
  • Parents or guardians provided consent to participate in the study and committed to following the scheduled follow-up visits.

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients exhibiting severe HAEC, bowel obstruction, or peritonitis at the time of operation
  • Those with a history of failed Hirschsprung disease surgery, prior abdominal operations, or colostomy
  • Individuals with contraindications to laparoscopic procedures, such as bleeding disorders or significant congenital heart defects
  • Cases where parents or legal guardians refused consent for study participation

Treatment and study plan

Minimally invasive laparoscopic pull-through surgery

Procedure

Conventional laparoscopic pull-through (CLP) surgery utilizes 3-5 small abdominal incisions for the placement of trocars, allowing the insertion of a laparoscopic camera and surgical instruments. After establishing pneumoperitoneum, the aganglionic segment is identified, and the colon is mobilized by dividing the lateral attachments using laparoscopic energy devices. The rectal dissection is performed circumferentially down to the level of the pelvic floor while preserving the mesenteric blood supply. A transanal approach is then used to complete the dissection, pull the mobilized bowel through the anus, and resect the aganglionic segment. A coloanal anastomosis is created, typically with absorbable sutures. Single-incision laparoscopic pull-through (SILS) follows the same principles but is performed through a single umbilical incision using a multi-port device; instruments and a camera are inserted through the same access point.

Primary outcomes

  1. Volume of Blood Loss

    Time frame: Perioperative

    The amount of blood lost during surgery will be measured in milliliters (mL) by collecting blood from suction devices, counting soaked surgical sponges, and assessing any other visible loss

  2. Conversion to open surgery

    Time frame: Perioperative

    The proportion of cases in which single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) could not be optimally completed and required conversion to open surgical techniques. Conversion may be necessitated by factors such as poor visualization, uncontrolled bleeding, adhesions, or patient-specific anatomical challenges. The outcome will be measured as the percentage of procedures requiring conversion during the perioperative period.

  3. Operative time

    Time frame: Perioperative

    Total duration of the surgical procedure from skin incision to closure, measured in minutes.

  4. Mortality and severe morbidity

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 years

    The incidence of mortality and severe postoperative complications following single-incision laparoscopic pull-through surgery. Severe morbidity includes life-threatening conditions such as sepsis, multi-organ failure, other major complications requiring intensive medical intervention, and death. This outcome will be assessed throughout the study period.

  5. Early postoperative complications

    Time frame: Up to 8 weeks post-operation

    The incidence of early postoperative complications, including but not limited to bowel obstruction, surgical site infections, and Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC). Additional complications such as anastomotic leakage, prolonged ileus, or unexpected reoperation will also be monitored.

  6. Rintala score

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 years

    The Rintala Score assesses postoperative bowel function in pediatric Hirschsprung disease (HD) patients, ranging from 0 to 20. It evaluates stool frequency, incontinence, constipation, and social continence. Scores of 18-20 indicate excellent function with normal bowel habits and no incontinence. Scores of 10-17 suggest moderate function, with occasional issues like constipation or minor incontinence. Scores below 10 reflect poor function, often requiring medical or surgical intervention.

  7. Manchester Scar Scale

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 years

    The Manchester Scar Scale (MSS) evaluates the aesthetic and physical characteristics of scars, scoring from 4 to 28. It assesses scar color, contour, texture, distortion, and patient discomfort. Lower scores (4-8) indicate minimal scarring with good cosmetic outcomes. Moderate scores (9-18) suggest noticeable but acceptable scars with some textural or color irregularities. Higher scores (19-28) reflect severe scarring, often associated with significant discoloration, contour defects, or functional impairment.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Associated conditions

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 4 years

    Incidence of any medical or surgical conditions identified before or after laparoscopic pull-through surgery, assessed through clinical evaluation, imaging, and diagnostic testing.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National Children's Hospital, Vietnam

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Minimally Invasive Surgical Intervention for Hirschsprung Disease: A Prospective Study on Efficacy and Long-term Functional Outcomes for Neonatal Patients

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2025
First posted
Mar 18, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 15, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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