[Fecal incontinence in Hirschsprung's disease in children].

Among the criteria of evaluation of the results of operative treatment of Hirschsprung's disease in children, along with the absence of constipation is the function of defecation control. The authors examined 27 patients with fecal incontinence after Duhamel's operation. It was established that fecal incontinence in children after operative treatment of Hirschsprung's disease may be caused not only by affection of the external sphincter muscle of the anus, the nerve plexuses, and adaptation of the rectum to the new conditions after the pull-through operation, but also by trauma inflicted to the levator ani muscle. In children with severe damage to the levator group of muscles consequent upon operative treatment of Hirschsprung's disease, operative intervention for creating the anorectal angle is indicated.