Clinical Features of Small Intestinal Atresia

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Intestinal atresia is a well-recognized cause of bowel obstruction in the newborn. The management of neonates with intestinal atresia has improved in recent decades due to refinements in neonatal intensive care, operative techniques, use of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), and neonatal anesthesia. More recently, the survival rate has risen rapidly up to 90%. METHODS: Twenty-five (25) cases of intestinal atresia were encountered at Kwangju-Christian Hospital between January 1985 and December 1998. We reviewed sex, gestational age, body weight, clinical manifestations, associated ano malies, causes, interval to operation, preoperative complications, operative methods, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Sites involved were the duodenum (n=10; 40%), the jejunum (n=5; 20%), and the ileum (n=10; 40%). The sex distribution was male predominant (1.81). The overall survival rate in our hospital was 76%. CONCLUSION: Refinements in neonatal intensive care and perioperative management were important in decreasing postoperative mortality.