My newborn niece has no nerve endings?? - Bowel Disorders Message Board

ChristinaM6283 · 12-22-2005, 02:35 PM

My almost 2 week old niece had surgery today because they found out she has no nerve endings in her colon, appendix and maybe some parts of her intestines. They put a bag from her stomach to the outside of her body today, and we'll have to change the bag for 3-4 months. I was wondering some things about it. Like will she still pee regularly, or will everything go in the bag...what is it going to look like? And will the nerve endings regenerate within the 3-4 months they are waiting, or will they have to do something? Does anyone have any info or any links that would have good information on this? Thank you in advance!

Luka Mullens · 12-23-2005, 02:23 PM

She will be able to pee normally, because pee doesn't come through the colon. After three to four months, when her colon has healed enough they will pull down a bit of her intestines and connect it to the last part of her rectum (where her anal muscles are, they most likely have been kept intact). If this operation is succesfull (and it often is) she will evenatually be able to use the bathroom by herself. Becasue she was born without ganglion nerves in part of her rectum, that part has been removed (these nerves contract the rectum and make you able to poop, without the nerves she would be unable to poop by herself...)
Look for Hirsprungs disease and/or colostomy. Can't post a webpage here, but when you look for these terms you will find plenty of info.

L.