Need some suggestions about this case-  Six and a half month old baby boy
has Hirschsprungs Disease, and is having his fourth surgery on Monday the
23rd.  This surgery is for anal dilitation and a stricture "O" plasty.
This little guy is nursing exclusively and has gained from 7-2 at birth to
17-10 now.  He nurses every 3 hours and has about 3 bms per day and lots of
wet diapers.  Mom is concerned because surgeon wants him to have only
pedialyte for 24 hours prior to surgery, no breast milk at all, because he
wants the stool to be clear and watery at time of surgery.  She is
concerned about the length of time he will be without nursing.

Has anyone dealt with this type of surgery on a little one?  Is this the
normal practice?

Would appreciate any suggestions she might bring to the surgeon.  Is an
enema to clear the bowel before surgery unacceptable in this case?

Ann Calandro,RNC,IBCLC
Piedmont Medical Center
Rock Hill, South Carolina