Anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract

Abstract

Anomalies encountered during gastrointestinal (GI) tract surgery can be subcategorized based upon the result of aberrant embryogenesis of the foregut (esophagus, stomach, duodenum), midgut (jejunum thru transverse colon), or hindgut (transverse colon through anus). Most embryonic abnormalities present during infancy, although some present later in childhood, and a minority may be asymptomatic through adulthood. In addition to restoring appropriate GI tract function, in treating anatomic variants, it is important to recognize and search for associated anomalies in other systems. Surgical considerations for anatomic variants of the gastrointestinal tract may be specific to the repair of the abnormality itself and may even require the creation of a novel anatomic variant, or may be secondary to frequently associated abnormalities which dictate the surgical approach to repair.