What is the surgical intervention for Hirschsprung disease?

• A. Orchiopexy
• B. Colectomy
• C. Surgery to remove the aganglionic section
• D. Endoscopic decompression

Answer: (C)

Hirschsprung disease is a congenital condition characterized by the absence of ganglion cells in the distal bowel, leading to a lack of coordinated peristalsis and resulting in significant difficulty with bowel movements. The surgical intervention for this condition involves removing the aganglionic section of the bowel where the nerve cells are absent. This procedure allows the normal bowel, which has the required ganglion cells, to be connected to the rectum, restoring bowel function and alleviating symptoms.

This surgical approach typically involves a pull-through technique, wherein the healthy bowel is pulled through the rectum, bypassing the affected segment. This intervention is critical as it directly addresses the underlying problem of the disease by removing the non-functional section of the intestine, ultimately helping to prevent complications such as enterocolitis, a serious inflammation of the intestines that can occur with such cases. Thus, the focus on removing the aganglionic segment ensures that the patient can achieve normal bowel function post-surgery.