Jejuno-Ileal atresia and stenosis

Abstract

Successful outcome after surgery for atresia of the small intestine is still sometimes accompanied by significant complications. An understanding of the aetiology and the realization that the proximal blind ending dilated bulbous atretic bowel was the cause of most of these complications and resection of this segment with primary anastomosis of proximal to distal bowel led to a dramatic improvement in outcomes from a mortality of 90-100% to a survival of over 80% in the 1950's. Subsequent improvement in some technical aspects of bowel anastomosis and neonatal perioperative care along with advances in nutrition both parenteral and enteral have made current treatment one of the many success stories of neonatal surgery.