Perfusion monitoring using laser speckle contrast imaging during endorectal pull-through for Hirschsprung's disease

Surgical treatment of Hirschsprung's disease commonly involves resection of the aganglionic segment of the colon and endorectal pull-through. Postoperative complications include anastomotic leakage and/or stricture, both believed to be caused by inadequate perfusion of the mobilized bowel or high tension in the anastomosis, but this has never been investigated. In this case, laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI) was used for the first time to monitor colonic perfusion during endorectal pull-through. A 6-week-old child with a 24-cm aganglionosis underwent laparoscopic-assisted endorecto pull-through with mobilization of the left colonic flexure to be able to reach the anus. LSCI perfusion monitoring showed that perfusion was 41% in the tip of the colon without tension, and was reduced 17% by a stretching force of 2 N. In conclusion, perfusion of the colonic end can be monitored by LSCI during surgery for Hirschsprung's disease. This provides new opportunities to evaluate the effects of such surgical interventions in the future.