Rectal surgery for hirschsprung's disease in a single pediatric tertiary care center: improvement of rectal dissection following the introduction of robotic technology
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Several surgical techniques have been described in the literature for the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease (HD). This study presents our surgical experience in managing patients with HD and the evolution of rectal dissection following the introduction of robotic technology. We developed a novel laparoscopic robot-assisted approach and report our initial experience with Restorative Proctocolectomy with minimal transanal endorectal dissection in HD patients, detailing the technical aspects of this procedure. Patients and methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from patients with HD who underwent pull-through surgery at our Institution between January 2015 and July 2025. Results: Sixty-five patients with HD were included. Fifty-four patients underwent conventional procedures performed at our Center: two open Soave endorectal pull-through (ERPT), forty-four laparoscopic Soave-Georgeson ERPT, and eight Totally Robotic Soave ERPT with limited transanal endorectal dissection. Beginning in 2023, eleven patients underwent a robot-assisted Restorative Proctocolectomy with minimal transanal endorectal dissection. Conclusion: The advantages of robotic technology allow for safer performance of pelvic and particularly rectal surgery. Based on our experience, we suggest that in selected patients with HD, Restorative Proctocolectomy with minimal transanal endorectal dissection can be safely performed using robotic assistance in Centers with advanced minimally invasive expertise in HD management.
Source: Frontiers in Surgery
Authors: Maria Grazia Faticato, Serena Reali, Michela Cing Yu Wong, Stefano Avanzini, Girolamo Mattioli
Institutions: Istituto Giannina Gaslini, University of Genoa
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
Funder: Ministero della Salute
OpenAlex ID: W7134959908
