Novel procedures for enhancing high jejunal atresia repair: bilateral side-plication and plication before anastomosis

Intestinal flow after anastomotic operations in neonates

Stagnation of contents at the anastomotic site for intestinal flows after anastomotic operation is a critical issue in neonates. Although various anastomosis methods have been developed, in the clinical field, poor passage at the anastomotic site in cases of jejunal atresia is still observed. A CFD study was carried out to clarify the reasons for the stagnation and to find favorable anastomosis methods from a fluid dynamical point of view. Direct numerical simulations were performed using OpenFOAM. The boundaries of the computational domain were peristaltically moved to reproduce flow. The results reveal that the peristaltic motion on the distal side dominates the flow and that on the proximal side has a negligible influence. In particular, the contents do not pass the anastomotic site when the peristaltic motion on the distal side is not active. The flow rate as a measure of the driving force of the flow on the proximal side is large when the amplitude of the peristaltic motion is large and the diameter is small. It was also found that anastomosis methods do not affect flow resistance.

Bowel plication in neonatal high jejunal atresia

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of bowel plication as a part of the surgical treatment in neonatal high jejunal atresia.Between January 2013 and December 2016, 43 neonates with high jejunal atresia underwent surgical treatment at the Children's Hospital of Fudan University. According to the surgical procedures the patients underwent, the neonates were divided into a bowel plication group and a nonplication group. Eighteen neonates underwent proximal bowel plication after atretic segment resection and primary anastomosis. The other 25 neonates were in the nonplication group and underwent enteroplasty after atretic segment resection. Data were retrospectively analyzed, including gestational age, birth weight, concomitant diseases, age at surgery, duration of operation, length of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), postoperative intestinal function recovery (i.e., the time of the 1st oral feeding and when the oral feeding volume reached 40 mL/kg/3 h), length of hospital stay, growth and development, complications, and reoperations.No differences in gestational age, birth weight, concomitant disease, age at surgery, or duration of operation were found between the 2 groups. The time of the 1st oral feeding, the time when oral feeding volume reached 40 mL/kg/3 h, and duration of TPN for the bowel plication group were shorter than those for the nonplication group (9.4 ± 3.1, 14.6 ± 2.3, 9.2 ± 2.7 days, respectively, vs 13.5 ± 2.6, 17.6 ± 2.8, 14.3 ± 2.4 days, respectively, P < .05). The length of the hospital stay for the bowel plication group was significantly shorter than for the nonplication group (15.3 ± 3.1 days vs 18.5 ± 3.6 days, respectively, P < .05). In the bowel plication group, 1 patient (5.6%) underwent reoperation for intestinal stenosis resulting from neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis 1 year after the initial surgery. However, in the nonplication group, 5 patients (20%) underwent reoperation, including 3 for anastomotic stenosis and 2 for adhesive intestinal obstruction. Follow-up visits occurred for an average period of 2.8 years (6 months to 4.5 years). All infants thrived, and no differences in growth and development were found between the 2 groups.Bowel plication after atretic segment resection and primary anastomosis improves the clinical outcome for neonates with high jejunal atresia.

Varied facets of rectal atresia and rectal stenosis

Rectal atresia (RA) and rectal stenosis (RS) are rare anomalies with varied treatment options. A thorough literature review was done on reported cases/series of RA and RS. Based on evidence from cases managed over last 15 years, new insights into embryology were hypothesized. A comprehensive review was compiled with updated knowledge on diagnosis and management. RA is classified into five types I: II: III: IV: V as RS: RA with septal defect: RA with a fibrous cord between two atretic ends: RA with a gap: Multiple RA and/or RS. Current definitive surgical repair of these anomalies preserves the anal canal, dentate line, and sphincter complex. Most neonates with RA undergo sigmoid colostomy except few with RS who can rarely decompress adequately. Membranous RS and septal RA may seldom respond to dilatation or be amenable to transanal repair. Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty with an end-to-end/side repair is recommended for RA and most intramural RS. RS may be associated with a presacral mass and colonic/rectal motility disorders. The expected postoperative outcome is good if the normally developed anal sphincter complex is retained undamaged. Early recognition of the type of anomaly is necessary for appropriate management.