Situs inversus and bowel malrotation: Contribution of prenatal diagnosis and laparoscopy

The authors report 3 different cases of prenatal diagnosis of situs inversu s associated with bower malrotation. Heterotaxy existed in 2 cardiosplenic syndromes (1 left and 1 right isomerism), and 1 isolated situs inversus. Bo wer malrotation was detected at birth by ultrasonography and intestinal con trast study. Patients underwent laparoscopic LADD's procedure and abdominal exploration in the neonatal period. The authors advocate neonatal screenin g and early surgical management of bowel malrotation in prenatally diagnose d heterotaxic syndroms. J Pediatr Surg 35:1217-1219. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.