As parents, discovering that your child has a medical condition can be an overwhelming and frightening experience. One such condition is Hirschsprung’s disease, a rare disorder of the bowel that primarily affects newborns and infants. This article, inspired by the insights from Dr. Nada Sudhakaran, a paediatric surgeon based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, aims to offer comfort, knowledge, and guidance to parents navigating this challenge.
Drawing from his 25 years experience, Dr. Nada discusses why Laparoscopic surgery (or keyhole surgery) has become the preferred method for treating Hirschsprung’s disease in children. With a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in both traditional and modern surgical methods, he advocates for the advantages of laparoscopic surgery, which he believes offers a more effective solution for patients and their families.
By the end of this article, parents will have a deeper understanding of:
The basics of Hirschsprung’s disease and the common complications it causes
The traditional approach to surgery and its limitations
The benefits and effectiveness of the modern Laparoscopic surgical method
Understanding Hirschsprung’s Disease
Hirschsprung’s disease is a congenital condition that affects the large intestine or colon. Children with this disease lack nerve cells in a portion of their intestines, leading to complications such as obstruction and abdominal distention.
Infant with Hirschsprung’s disease is featured next to a side by side comparison of a healthy colon and the colon of an individual with Hirschsprung’s disease.
An Anatomical Abnormality
In most children, the disease affects the lower 10 centimeters of the colon. The lack of nerve cells in this area causes the intestine to collapse, preventing the feces from being pushed down and expelled, leading to distention and symptoms of obstruction.
Initial Treatment
The initial management involves the introduction of a ‘washout’, a procedure in which a small tube is inserted into the lower part of the intestine to flush out the feces. This step is followed by surgery to correct the abnormality, known as a pull-through operation.
For a full article on Hirschsrpung’s Disease in children click HERE
In the following sections, we will explore why laparoscopic surgery has emerged as the preferred surgical method for treating Hirschsprung’s disease, offering numerous advantages over traditional open surgery.
The Traditional Approach: Open Surgery and Its Complications
In the traditional open surgery method, a cut is made in the abdomen, or an operation is performed at the anal level to pull the normal part of the intestine down to the lower end. The abnormal portion is then removed.
Open surgery incisions – large in size to allow access to hand manipulation by surgeon
Limitations
Despite its widespread use, traditional surgery has limitations. It does not provide a complete view or access to the entire intestine, which may lead to issues with the alignment of the intestine. In addition, it can be challenging to distinguish between the normal and abnormal areas, or identify areas that are dilated.
Potential Complications
The lack of a complete view during the pull-through operation often results in complications. Patients may experience issues if the joint at the bottom end is not correctly connected to the right part of the intestine. Such complications often lead to additional operations, causing unnecessary distress to the child and their families.
The Modern Approach: Laparoscopic Surgery
Dr. Nada advocates for laparoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive method now favored by advanced medical centers around the world. This approach involves making small incisions in the abdomen to access and view the entire intestine, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional surgery.
Precision and Efficiency
Through laparoscopy, surgeons can accurately identify the correct position for the pull-through procedure. It provides a better view of the intestine, which ensures the alignment is not twisted or kinked, and the right sections of the intestine are joined.
Keyhole surgery incisions – 3 small dots to insert camera and two instruments.
Reduced Complications
Laparoscopic surgery significantly reduces the risk of complications related to the pull-through operation. It allows the operation to be done as a single procedure that lasts the child’s lifetime, avoiding the distress and inconvenience of multiple surgeries.
Choosing Laparoscopic Surgery for Hirschsprung’s Disease
The advanced approach results in a smoother surgical journey and a better long-term outcome for children with Hirschsprung’s disease. Parents are thus advised to identify centers that offer paediatric laparoscopic surgery specifically for Hirschsprung’s disease to ensure the best possible care for their child.
In conclusion, laparoscopic surgery has revolutionized the treatment of paediatric Hirschsprung’s disease in Malaysia, offering a safe, effective, and less invasive alternative to traditional open surgery.
As healthcare providers, our goal is to ensure the highest quality of life for our patients, and this method moves us significantly closer to that goal. Parents, equipped with this information, can make informed decisions and feel more confident about their child’s treatment.
Remember, early intervention and the right surgical approach can make a significant difference in the long-term health and well-being of children with Hirschsprung’s disease.
Media & Patient testimonials after receiving Hirschsprung’s disease treatment from Dr. Nada
Press Coverage on Dr Nada’s Treatment
Mr Lim’s testimonial
Ms Coco Lee’s testimonial
“I met Dr. Nada through a HD parent Mr. Stephen, when my son was 8 months old, he is a DS child and he diagnosed HD when he was borned. Dr. Nada is a very loving kindness person, he share a lot of knowledge and information with us, he also help my son to reduce a lot of pain and abdominal problems. I hope he keep it up to help more people and found a solution to help more HD patients. Thank you Dr. Nada”
Coco Lee – Mother
Ms Lauren Cu’s testimonial
Dr Nada attended to my child’s surgery. A very kind hearted surgeon. Two years ago, my child Zelene Lim was diagnosed with Hirschsprungs disease – leaky intestines. It is a rare condition that causes congenital pain since birth.
Dr Nada provided detailed information on the disease. I am saying this not because he attended to my child’s case. But instead he was willing to help us by accepting my son’s case when some surgeons as far as Penang and Singapore had turned us down. He advised us to fly in to Kuala Lumpur as soon as possible, if my child’s condition allows her to travel. I am thankful that my child has since recovered and thank you Dr. Nada for his concern and commitment.”
Lauren Cu – Mother
If you require surgical help with your child, schedule an appointment with Dr Nada and put your mind at ease knowing that your child is in good hands.
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Dr Nada Sudhakaran
Paediatric Surgeon & Urologist
Hospitals
Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur
Assunta Hospital Petaling Jaya
Languages Spoken
English
Bahasa Malaysia
Tamil
Clinics Available
Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur
+603-2296 0419
Clinic Hours Mon : 9.00 AM - 5.00 PM Tue : 9.00 AM - 12.00 PM Wed : 9.00 AM - 5.00 PM Thu : 9.00 AM - 1.00 PM Friday : 9.00 AM - 12.00 PM Saturday : 10.00 AM - 12.00 PM
Dr Nada Child Surgeon (Kuala Lumpur)5.0★★★★★ Based on 272 reviews fromSee all reviewsAdam ★★★★★ Great doctor. Patient and kindAmutha Krishnan ★★★★★ He is a very gentle , patient and knowledgeable Dr. My child always enjoys his visits with him. Most importantly he made us as anxious parents to feel at ease during the surgery. Highly recommended. Wonderful dr.Jane Lee ★★★★★ We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Nada for overseeing our son's recent hernia procedure. From the first consultation, his professional and calm demeanor put us at ease. He explained every step clearly and answered all our questions with patience.The surgery was a success and the follow-up care has been seamless. Dr. Nada’s clinical expertise is clear, but it is his genuine kindness and compassionate approach that truly sets him apart. We highly recommend Dr. Nada to any parents looking for a skilled, dedicated, and empathetic specialist. Thank you, Dr. Nada, for your outstanding care!Nurlyana Ramli ★★★★★ Thank you, Dr. Nada for the excellent care you gave my son during his rectal prolapse treatment. You were patient, reassuring and explained everything clearly. We were especially touched that you remembered my son and even followed up via WhatsApp to check on his condition. Your genuine care and dedication mean so much to us. Highly recommended!Lalithaa Tivimuruthy ★★★★★ To Dr. Nadarajan Sudhakaran – Paediatric SurgeonThere are moments in life when “thank you” simply isn’t enough. This is one of those moments.From the very first consultation until the final follow-up, every step of our journey was met with kindness, professionalism, patience, and genuine compassion. As a mother, there is no greater fear than watching your precious child undergo surgery. The uncertainty, the sleepless nights, and the endless worries can feel overwhelming.But Dr. Nada, you changed that experience completely.From the moment we met you, your calm demeanor, confidence, honesty, and kindness gave us complete trust that my son was in the safest hands. You took the time to explain everything so clearly before surgery and gave us easy-to-understand pre-operative and post-operative instructions. Every concern I had was answered with patience, and every follow-up made me feel reassured.Because of you, what could have been one of the most stressful periods of my life became a journey filled with confidence and hope. You didn’t just operate on my son’s condition—you cared for our family and gave this anxious mother peace of mind.Today, my little boy has healed beautifully, and every time I look at him, my heart is filled with gratitude. Traveling all the way to Kuala Lumpur for his surgery was one of the best decisions we have ever made. Every kilometre was worth it because my precious little boy received exceptional care from an exceptional surgeon.To SN Su, thank you for your warmth, kindness, and patience throughout our visits. Your welcoming smile, prompt responses, and reassuring words made every appointment comfortable and stress-free. Your compassion meant more than you may ever know.To the entire Operating Theatre team, although I may not know each of your names, please know that our family is deeply grateful. Behind every successful surgery is an incredible team whose dedication, precision, and teamwork make miracles happen every day. Thank you for taking such wonderful care of our precious little boy. You will always hold a special place in our hearts.Dr. Nada, thank you for treating my precious little boy as more than just another patient. Thank you for your remarkable expertise, your humility, and your unwavering commitment to your patients. Your hands healed my son, but your compassion also brought peace to a mother’s heart.To every parent who may be reading this and is searching for a paediatric surgeon, I am sharing to you the experience after my son, underwent Chordee Repair with a Modified Circumcision performed by Dr. Nadarajan Sudhakaran.If your child ever needs a paediatric surgeon, I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Nada. As a mother, I cannot imagine placing my child in better hands. His expertise, compassion, meticulous care, and commitment to his patients gave us complete confidence throughout this journey. Choosing Dr Nada for my son - is a decision I will always be thankful for.Some doctors heal with medicine. Others heal with their kindness, compassion, and the reassurance they give to frightened families. Dr. Nada does both.From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for everything you have done for my little boy and for us.May God continue to bless Dr. Nada and his team with good health, strength, wisdom, and many more years of touching the lives of children and their families.With our deepest gratitude, respect, and heartfelt appreciation,Lalithaa & Family.Zakri H ★★★★★ My son had Hirschsprung disease and Dr. Nada was referred fo by my Paeds. He was extremely professional and kind throughout the whole process - he guided us and explained everything we needed and wanted to know. We did the keyhole surgery with him when my child was 3 months old and Alhamdulillah my son is doing well now. Thank you Dr. Nada and team! Highly recommendMaya Toh ★★★★★ Dr. Nada is highly professional, patient, and friendly. He performed surgery on our son's fistula, and the recovery was seamless. Our son is now healthy and happy. Thank you so much for the excellent care!Vithiyah santara sheeran ★★★★★ We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Nada for the exceptional care and professionalism shown throughout our child’s treatment. From the very first consultation, he took the time to explain the condition and treatment options clearly, ensuring we understood every step of the process. His calm, reassuring, and compassionate approach gave us great confidence during a stressful time.The surgery went smoothly, and our child’s recovery has been excellent. Dr. Nada was always approachable, patient with our questions, and genuinely cared about our child’s well-being. We truly appreciate his expertise, kindness, and dedication.Thank you, Dr. Nada, for making such a positive difference in our family’s journey. We highly recommend him to any parent looking for an experienced and caring paediatric surgeon.qi hong tong ★★★★★ Very friendly doctor, heal my son hypospadias well, explained everything detailKingsley Chai ★★★★★ We had a wonderful experience with Dr Nada. He is very patient, gentle, and professional with our baby. They explained everything clearly and made us feel confident and reassured as first-time parents. Thank you for your excellent care and dedication. We highly recommend this doctor to anyone looking for a trustworthy pediatrician.Viknes Arivalagan ★★★★★ "Highly recommend Dr. Nada! He took wonderful care of my son. He was incredibly gentle, patient, and made us feel completely at ease throughout the entire process. Most importantly, he diagnosed and solved the issue perfectly.A big thank you to the fantastic clinic staff as well for their warm support and efficiency.We are so grateful for the excellent care!"Chan Yee Theng ★★★★★ My daughter was transfer from columbia hospital due to small intestines goes into big intestine which cause her pain until the pain killer also cannot cure.Once we reach pantai hospital emergency units then that is a lot of people but Dr Nada personally come to emergency units to visit my daughters inject morphin for her to relieve her pain and speed up all the procedures for my daughter intusception operation.Very nice and caring doctor 👍👍👍👍Carptorna Sentor ★★★★★ Dr. Nada is amazing! I had a pain in my tummy now he make it disappeared like magic! He is so caring, and the friendly nurse always makes you feel comfortable and welcome from the moment you walk in. I'm so grateful for the excellent care!cin ★★★★★ We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Nada for the exceptional care provided to our child who was diagnose with hydronephrosis. From the very beginning, the doctor was patient, thorough, and always took the time to explain everything clearly, which gave us so much confidence during a very stressful time.hr took the time to explain our son’s condition, discuss every treatment option, and answer all of our questions in a way that was reassuring and easy to understand. We never felt rushedSerly Theng ★★★★★ Sangat puas dengan pelayanan Dokter NADATerima kasih banyak atas tindakan sunat yang dilakukan kepada 2 anak laki-laki sy.Hasilnya sangat rapi, bagus, dan proses penyembuhannya cepat..Yang paling membuat kami bersyukur, anak kami tidak mengalami trauma sama sekali setelah disunat..Dokter NADA sangat profesional, ramah, sabar, dan menjelaskan setiap proses dengan baik sehingga kami sebagai orang tua merasa tenang. Tim di RS.PANTAI KUALA LUMPUR juga sangat membantu dan memberikan pelayanan yang baik.Sangat kami rekomendasikan bagi para orang tua yang sedang mencari dokter sunat. Terima kasih banyak, Dokter.Semoga selalu sehat dan sukses dalam membantu lebih banyak anak dan keluarga..Muzlina Mohamad Jamil ★★★★★ Highly recommend Dr. Nadarajan from Pantai Bangsar. Caring, professional, and great with children. Thank you for the excellent care and reassurance throughout our visit.mohd rahimi Yaacob ★★★★★ I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Dr. Nada for his excellent service and care.My son, Aryan was having constipation problems, and Dr. Nada handled the consultation with great professionalism and kindness. The way he spoke to my son was very friendly, reassuring and convincing, which made my son comfortable and willing to listen to his advice.Following Dr. Nada's recommendations, my son has changed his eating habits and meal choices significantly. We are happy to see that he is recovering well and showing positive improvement.Thank you, Dr. Nada, for your dedication and excellent care. Highly recommended!titien marlina ★★★★★ Tempatnya nyaman.... Penjelasan Beliau sangat baik dan jelas. Rekomend untk orang tua yang mau memeriksa kan anak anaknyaAlwani Aziz ★★★★★ Very friendly and gentle with children. He explained my kid’s condition concisely and made us feel at ease. The consultation room had toys for the kids to keep them entertained while parents are being consulted. Highly recommended paed if you’re looking for easy-going and approachable doctor!Juliana Damanik ★★★★★ Dokter nya sangat baik,ramah..Kami senang x bisa bertemu dokter nada.Thankyou dokter,sehat selalu dokter🙏ROSMINI AHMAD ★★★★★ Tqq for the professional service n warmth to Arissa Iris Hazha n clinic nurse so committed n helpfulSo fatherly 💝Hongkuan ★★★★★ Dr. Nada is one of the best surgeons we have ever met. My cousin had already undergone 6 surgeries in Thailand and 5 surgeries in Cambodia, and our family was almost losing hope. A few months ago, his condition became problematic again, and we did not know where to turn for help.After searching for a specialist, we found Dr. Nada. From the very beginning, he was incredibly responsive and took the time to answer our questions and concerns. Throughout the entire process, he provided outstanding care and professionalism.What impressed us most was his compassion and dedication. Even though many of our family members do not speak English, Dr. Nada always found ways to communicate clearly and make sure we understood everything. He treated us with kindness, patience, and respect, which made a very difficult situation much easier for our family.We are truly grateful for the care and support he provided. Thank you, Dr. Nada, for giving us hope and for taking such wonderful care of my cousin. We highly recommend him to any family looking for a skilled and caring pediatric surgeon.Wei Seng Ng ★★★★★ Dr.Nada was very professional and caring when treating my son. He explained my son’s condition clearly and answered all our questions patiently. We felt reassured and confident with his advice and treatment plan. Thank you for the excellent care and attention.Bharath Reddy ★★★★★ Thank you, doctor, for the excellent care and support throughout our son’s treatment. The surgery went well, recovery has been smooth, and today we were happy to hear he can return to normal activities. Highly recommended.CHEE YANG LEE ★★★★★ Thank you, Doctor Nada, for your kindness and professionalism. You explained my child’s condition very clearly and patiently, which gave us a lot of reassurance. You are also very friendly and caring throughout the consultation. We truly appreciate your help and dedication. Highly recommended!michelle alverina ★★★★★ Oh dr Nada is the best. His explanation is very detail, easy to understand & relieving . He’s very good with kids as well. Love to recommend dr Nada to every parents who need to consult with pediatry urology specialist!Stefvifans Stefvifans ★★★★★ The Doctor so friendly and explain things so clearly. He explained to us so detail until we understood what happenedFaidhi Sobri ★★★★★ Thank you Dr for 2 years recovery process for my son. Alhamdulillah everything went well for first and 2nd stage surgery. He is a very experience Dr for kids surgery and recommended to allSiti Zolkafli86 ★★★★★ “I am very satisfied with the service from Dr Nada. The doctor is very professional, explains the condition clearly and in an easy-to-understand way. The consultation was comfortable and not awkward. Highly recommended!nadia novara ★★★★★ Pernah bawa anak Operasi hipospadia dengan dokter nada di KL.Dokternya baik, kasih alternatif agar biaya operasi bisa lebih murah gimana. Sangat membantu. Dokternya juga Ramah. Pokoknya oke 👍Aida Ramli ★★★★★ Love dr nadarajan. Very good with kids and asnwer all questions we had. Also always abailable if we have any questionssyaqir wahab ★★★★★ Doktor yang sangat berpengalaman.shada ikram ★★★★★ Glad we came here! Dr Nada provided the correct treatment based on my son’s condition. The explanation was clear, and we have seen good improvement since.Tim Talbot ★★★★★ Excellent from beginning to start. Dr Nada is gentle, clear regarding treatment and genuinely cared for our child - with the end result, a successful and minimally invasive surgery. We couldn't have been happier with the treatment.Thank you so much!Hishiko TV ★★★★★ 很细心，很友善的医生！eddy chin ★★★★★ Highly recommended. Dr. Nada is very attentive and thorough.Simbar Dube ★★★★★ My son recently had a keyhole surgery performed by Dr. Nada, and I cannot speak highly enough about the experience.From the very beginning, Dr. Nada was calm, reassuring, and incredibly kind. As a parent, it is naturally stressful when your child needs surgery, but he took the time to explain everything clearly and made sure we felt comfortable and informed throughout the process. His professionalism and confidence immediately built trust.What stood out the most was how he treated my son. Instead of approaching the situation in a purely clinical way, he connected with him on a human level. He spoke to him kindly, made him feel safe, and after the procedure he even gave him a teddy bear. That small gesture meant a lot. It turned what could have been a frightening experience for a child into something much more comforting.The surgery itself went very well, and the care we received from Dr. Nada and the team was excellent. It is clear that he not only has great skill as a surgeon, but also genuine compassion for his patients.I am deeply grateful for the care he provided to my son, and I would highly recommend Dr. Nada to any parent looking for a skilled and caring doctor.esther kah yan ★★★★★ Dr Nada is a very detailed doctor in which he explained all the conditions to me about my baby, before deciding to have surgery. And also he will patiently teach us how to exercise for my baby, for post-surgery recovery purpose. Strongly recommend this doctor to all the parents if your baby is having tongue tie issue.
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