A novel evaluation technique for measuring the distance between the anastomosis and intersphincteric groove via three-dimensional endoanal ultrasonography in children with Hirschsprung disease

Background This study aimed to describe our experience with three-dimensional endoanal ultrasonography (3D-EAUS) in patients who underwent surgery for Hirschsprung disease and to summarize the relationship between postoperative anal function and the distance between the anastomosis and intersphincteric groove (DBAI) measured via 3D-EAUS. Results We retrospectively reviewed patients with a history of undergoing surgery for Hirschsprung disease who visited our outpatient clinic between December 2018 and December 2019. All patients underwent 3D-EAUS for DBAI measurement. We used the Krickenbeck classification to evaluate postoperative anorectal function. Eleven patients (all males aged 3–14 years) were evaluated. Four (36.4%), four (36.4%), and three (27.3%) patients had no soiling, grade 1 soiling, and grade 3 soiling, respectively. Four (36.4%) and seven (63.6%) patients had no constipation and grade 3 constipation, respectively. The median DBAI values were 7.0 mm, 8.4 mm, and 5.6 mm ( p = 0.14) in the no soiling, grade 1, and grade 3 soiling groups, respectively. Conclusions 3D-EAUS enabled precise visualization of the anal anatomy and evaluation of the anastomosis. The DBAI was relatively short in patients with grade 3 soiling, although not significantly so. Further evaluation is warranted.