OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and efficacy of fast track surgery (FTS) combined with laparoscopy in the treatment of infant Hirschsprung disease.

METHODSClinical data of 72 infants with Hirschsprung disease undergoing elective pull-through surgery from June 2010 to June 2013 were retrospectively summarized. The patients were divided into two groups: fast track surgery combined with laparoscopy group (FTS group, n=33) and laparoscopic surgery with traditional management perioperatively (control group, n=39). Postoperative intestinal function recovery, hospital stay, cost of hospitalization, complications were compared and postoperative recovery was followed-up for four weeks.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in intraoperative blood loss and operative time between FTS and control group (both P>0.05). The recovery of bowel movement was earlier in the FTS group but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.078). The hospital stay was shorter [(10 ± 2) d vs. (14 ± 4) d] and cost of hospitalization was lower [(15 316 ± 2273) Yuan vs. (18 641 ± 3082) Yuan] in FTS group than those in control group(P<0.01). Postoperative complications and recovery conditions during 4 weeks follow-up were similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONFast track surgery combined with laparoscopy in the treatment of infant Hirschsprung disease is safe and effective.