OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF DUODENAL ATRESIA

The management of duodenal atresia (DA) in two Scandinavian pediatric centers is reported. A total of 67 infants with DA were retrospectivel y analyzed. A high incidence of associated anomalies was present, incl uding Down's syndrome in 40% and cardiac anomalies in 20% of the infan ts. No immediate postoperative mortality was noted. The operative proc edures were duodenoduodenostomy and duodenojejunostomy. Follow-up did not disclose any frequent gastrointestinal disturbances or differences in postoperative complications when the two procedures were compared. The prognosis for these patients is thus determined exclusively by th e presence of associated anomalies, especially Down's syndrome and car diac malformations.