Intestinal atresia with gastroschisis: a selective approach to management

Abstract

Background: The association of bowel atresia with gastroschisis is well recognized, but the ideal management is less certain.

Methods: The records of 10 infants with gastroschisis and intestinal atresia treated between 1991 and 1997 in a single neonatal surgical unit were reviewed.

Results: Ten infants had midgut atresias: 5 small intestine, 1 jejunum and colon, and 4 colonic. Of the 6 with small bowel atresias, 4 had primary abdominal wall repair with electively delayed primary anastomosis at 21 to 46 days, 1 had decompressing tube jejunostomy at 11 days at the time of secondary abdominal closure, and 1 initial jejunostomy. Of the 4 with colonic atresia alone, 3 had perforation or infarction of the proximal colon at birth, 2 had a primary stoma, and 2, who did not have initial colostomy or anastomosis, required reoperation for increasing abdominal distension at 11 and 23 days. Complications were recorded in 6 patients: 2 had necrotizing enterocolitis after which 1 developed malabsorption, 1 had distal bowel obstruction after delayed primary anastomosis treated with a Bishop-Koop ileostomy at 50 days, 2 had stoma stenosis, and 1 had stoma prolapse. None died, and at 1 year 9 were within the normal range for body weight, and details of 1 are not known.

Conclusions: At birth, diagnosis of atresia often is uncertain, and the bowel is difficult to repair or exteriorize. For proximal atresias, delayed primary repair is a safe satisfactory approach. At birth, distal atresias are more obvious, often complicated by perforation or infarction, and may benefit from early enterostomy.