Per-rectal endoscopic myotomy (PREM) for pediatric Hirschsprung’s disease

Hirschsprung’s disease is a congenital disorder characterized by the absence of intrinsic ganglion cells in the myenteric plexuses of the hindgut. The majority of patients present during infancy or childhood with constipation, intestinal obstruction, or megacolon [1]. Standard treatment includes single- or multi-stage pull-through surgery [2]. We have previously reported per-rectal endoscopic myotomy (PREM) for adult Hirschsprung’s disease [3]. The rationale of this is to disrupt the spastic bowel segments, like those in achalasia or pylorospasm are disrupted by peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) or pyloromyotomy (G-POEM) [4] [5]. This report describes the technique and outcome of PREM in a pediatric patient with Hirschsprung’s disease.

An 8-year-old boy had had refractory constipation since the neonatal period that was partially relieved by high-dose laxatives. Barium enema demonstrated a spastic rectum and dilated sigmoid colon, which were classical of Hirschsprung’s disease ([Fig. 1]). Colonoscopy showed a spastic non-distensible empty rectum and dilated sigmoid colon with stool residue. Deep mucosal biopsies demonstrated ganglion cells at 8 cm but these were absent distally ([Fig. 2]). Manometry demonstrated absent recto-anal inhibitory reflex (RAIR).

Fig. 1 Barium enema in an 8-year-old boy showing the characteristic signs of Hirschsprung’s disease.

Fig. 2 Biopsy taken from the rectum at 8 cm (magnification × 40), stained immunohistochemically with S100, showing a nerve bundle and the absence of ganglion cells.

Given our previous experience, we obtained consent for PREM from the patient’s parents. PREM was performed with the patient under general anesthesia and in the prone position ([Fig. 3]). A full-thickness posterior myotomy was performed, starting inside the anorectal junction and extending 10 cm proximally, using the technique described in our earlier report [3] ([Fig. 4]; [Video 1]). The patient was fasted for 12 hours and oral liquids were started thereafter. His first bowel movement was recorded at 28 hours. Intravenous antibiotics were continued for 48 hours. He was discharged on the 4th post-procedure day on oral lactulose 15 mL twice daily. At follow up after 2 weeks, the patient reported passing one to two semisolid soft stools per day while taking 15 mL lactulose daily. No episodes of incontinence or enterocolitis were reported. Sigmoidoscopy in an unprepared colon showed mucosal healing and the presence of rectal stool. The current duration of follow-up is 48 weeks and to date the patient remains well.

Fig. 3 The patient is positioned for per-rectal endoscopic myotomy, in the prone position with the buttocks strapped laterally.

Fig. 4 Endoscopic images during per-rectal endoscopic myotomy showing: a the completed submucosal tunnel (note the muscle layer at the 12 o’clock indicating posterior myotomy in the prone position); b the completed full-thickness myotomy (note the divided muscle fibers at the 12 o’clock position).

Video 1 The technique of per-rectal endoscopic myotomy (PREM). After a mucosal incision is made inside the dentate line, a 10-cm submucosal tunnel is created. Full-thickness posterior myotomy is performed, stopping short of the anorectal junction. The mucosa is closed using endoclips.

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Competing interests

None

• References

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