Congenital gastro-intestinal obstruction in the maternity and child teaching hospital of Al-Qadisiya

ABSTRACT

Gastro-intestinal obstruction is probably the most common reason for emergency operation in neonates, infants and children. From July 2004 to the end of June 2007 200; 138 male [69%] and 62 female [31%] cases of gastro-intestinal obstruction needed surgical treatment at The Maternity and Child Teaching Hospital, Al-QadisiyaAl-Diwaniya. Male Female ratio 2.2 1 [13862] Vomiting was the leading sign and symptom in 133 of cases [66.4%], failure to pass meconium in 98 of cases [49%]. The radiological study was the usual diagnostic aid whether conventional plain radiography used in 163 of cases [81.5%] or a contrast study. Ano-rectal obstruction caused by imperforated anus was found in 89 of cases [44.5%]. 31 [15.5%] had a gastric outlet obstruction, 26 [13%] had jejunoileal atresia, 18 [9%] had a Hirschsprung' s disease, while duodenal obstruction was found in 9 cases [4.5%.] The surgical procedures were enterostomies in 97 of cases [48.5%], intestinal anastomosis [18.7], pyloromyotomies, 30 [15%], posteriolateral thoracotomy and esophageal anastomosis in 6 [3%] and explorative laparotomy, 5 [2.5%]. Ano-rectal obstruction was the commonest cause of congenital gastro-intestinal obstruction in this series. Enterostomies were the most commonly performed operations