DIAGNOSIS
The doctor will examine your child and ask you questions regarding his or her bowel movements. The doctor may recommend any one of the following tests to make a precise diagnosis:
- Abdominal X-ray
- Anal manometry
- Biopsy
TREATMENT
Most patients with aganglionic megacolon are treated with surgery to help bypass the portion of the colon that lacks nerve cells. Additionally, there are two options for doing so:
Pull-through surgery
During this process, the damaged part of the colon’s lining is taken. The normal part is then pulled from the inside of the colon and reconnected to the anus. Also, this is generally accomplished through the anus.
Ostomy surgery
Surgery may be performed in two stages on severely sick children.
First, the abnormal section of the colon is taken, and the upper, healthy portion of the colon is linked to an opening in the child’s abdomen made by the surgeon.
The stool will then excrete through the hole into a bag that connects to the end of the colon that extends through the opening in the belly (stoma). This enables the lower part of the intestines to recover.
Furthermore, a second operation is done after the colon has healed to hide the stoma and reattach the healthy section of the colon to the anus and rectum.