Abstract

Hirschsprung's disease is one of the most common causes of intestinal obstruction in neonates and infants. The underlying pathology of this disease is the absence of the ganglion cells in both the myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus and the submucosal (Meissner's) plexus. Since Hirschsprung's report in 1886, there have been thousands of papers on Hirschsprung's disease but the cause of the absence of the ganglion cells has not been identified. Hirschsprung's disease can be successfully treated with the Swenson, the Duhamel, and the Soave operations even though the pathogenesis is unknown. With the recent progress of molecular biology and genetics, a more detailed approach to the pathogenesis of Hirschsprung's disease can be undertaken. In addition, there have been recent developments in the surgical approach. In this review, recent advances in surgery for Hirschsprung's disease are presented.

• Keywords: Hirschsprung's disease;Pathogenesis;Operation;