Congenital duodenal diaphragm in eight children

Utility of the web excision with pre-membranous incision for congenital intestinal atresia-type I and stenosis

PURPOSE

This study analyzed the efficacy of web excision combined with a pre-membranous incision on the dilated proximal segment for congenital intestinal atresia with type I and stenosis (CIA-I/S).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-six patients underwent surgery for CIA-I/S from January 1990 to June 2022. Patients were categorized into 3 groups according to the surgical procedure: Group A, web excision with pre-membranous incision of the dilated intestine (n = 14); Group B, enteroplasty with a trans-membranous vertical incision (n = 7) and Group C, diamond-shaped anastomosis (n = 5). To minimize the impact of obstruction location on outcomes, we specifically examined 17 cases of duodenal atresia/stenosis: Group D-A, (n = 6); Group D-B, (n = 6) and Group D-C, (n = 5). We retrospectively compared the operative and postoperative parameters among the three groups.

RESULTS

No patient experienced anastomotic leakage or obstruction. There were no significant differences in operative duration or blood loss among the 3 Groups. The median time to feeding initiation was 4, 6.5, and 5 days in Groups A, B, and C, respectively (p = 0.04) and was 4, 6.5, and 5 days in Groups D-A, D-B, and D-C, respectively (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Web excision, when compared to enteroplasty and diamond-shaped anastomosis, showed comparable results in terms of the operative duration and postoperative complications. However, it may allow for an earlier initiation of enteral nutrition.

Delayed presentation of duodenal diaphragm and annular pancreas in a 10-year-old girl: Case report

Congenital duodenal obstruction is a common cause of bowel obstruction. It is relatively easy to diagnose in the neonatal period. However, if the obstruction is due to a duodenal diaphragm, diagnosis may be delayed until later in infancy or even adulthood, depending on the size of the aperture in the diaphragm. Congenital duodenal obstruction may be associated with other gastrointestinal and biliary anomalies. The association of a duodenal diaphragm and a partial annular pancreas is a rare clinical entity. We present an unusual case of late presentation of duodenal diaphragm with partial annular pancreas in a 10-year-old girl with a 3-month history of abdominal distension and vomiting. The plain abdominal X-ray showed the classic picture of a double bubble. The CT images showed narrowing of the third duodenal portion and dilatation of the stomach and duodenum. The pancreatic tissue incompletely surrounded the second part of the duodenum. Intraoperatively, both the duodenal diaphragm and the partial annular pancreas were confirmed. Excision of the diaphragm and duodenoplasty were performed. A duodenal diaphragm should be suspected in patients with a history of abdominal distension and vomiting, even in late childhood. Associated gastrointestinal and biliary anomalies should always be excluded.

Congenital duodenal web causing partial obstruction with recurrent vomiting and abdominal distention in a toddler boy: a case report

BACKGROUND

The duodenal web is a thin, elongated, web-like structure that is one of the factors contributing to duodenal obstruction. Only 100 cases have been reported in the literature. We present a 2.5-year-old cachectic Afghan child who did not have any overt signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction, like recurrent vomiting, abdominal distention, and weight loss. The web was discovered near the intersection of the third and fourth portions, which is an uncommon location for the duodenal web. The late presentation of congenital duodenal web with partial obstruction is rare but well-known and has been reported in this case.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 2.5-year-old cachectic Afghan child who had recurrent vomiting and experienced abdominal distention was brought to Maiwand Teaching Hospital from the Jabelsuraj region of Parwan province. The patient was suffering from unusual signs and symptoms like recurrent vomiting, abdominal distention, weight loss, and constipation. The diagnosis of these anomalies was established by a detailed history, clinical features, and abdominal CT scan. In the computerized tomography scanning (CT-Scan) image reported, there was a web with stenosis and partial obstruction in the distal aspect of the third-to-fourth portion of the duodenum. After preoperative stabilization, the child was taken for surgery. The abdomen was opened by a right upper abdominal transverse incision. After web resection and duodenoplasty, the patient was shifted to the recovery room in satisfactory condition. The child was allowed to feed after 8 days, which he tolerated well.

CONCLUSION

Congenital duodenal web with partial obstruction is typically observed in the second and third years of life. It is suspected in patients with recurrent vomiting, abdominal distention, weight loss, and constipation. Partial obstruction may not have an overt presentation, making it a challenging diagnosis for general practitioners. Abdomen X-ray and CT scan usually confirm the diagnosis, and successful surgical intervention is recommended.

Delayed presentation of duodenal atresia

Background

The most common type of duodenal atresia (DA) (Type I), also known as duodenal web or membrane can present later in infancy or early childhood if the membrane or web is fenestrated. We describe six patients with delayed presentation of DA.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective review of hospital records of six patients with delayed presentation of DA due to fenestrated web managed in Paediatric Surgery Department at a tertiary care institute over a period of 2 years (January 2019 to December 2020) was done. The data of these patients were analysed on the basis of age at presentation, clinical presentation, associated anomalies, radiological findings, intra-operative findings, management and postoperative course.

Results

The median age at presentation was 6.5 months (range: 1 month to 10 years). There were four males and two females. The most common presentation was emesis seen in all six patients. Two patients had Down syndrome. Associated congenital anomalies were cardiac in one patient, anterior ectopic anus in one patient and malrotation of midgut in one patient. Upper gastrointestinal contrast suggested incomplete duodenal obstruction in all patients. At laparotomy, fenestrated duodenal membrane was observed in all patients - preampullary in three patients and postampullary in three patients. Lateral duodenotomy, web excision and transverse closure was done in all six patients. The postoperative period was uneventful in all patients and mean duration of hospital stay was 9 days.

Conclusion

Fenestrated duodenal webs present a diagnostic challenge to the paediatric surgeons because of delayed and variable clinical presentation. A modification of the present classification of DA has been proposed in this study which would help in better reporting of epidemiology and aid in early diagnosis of this congenital anomaly.

Case report of a congenital duodenal transverse septum causing partial obstruction

INTRODUCTION

Duodenal obstructions caused by congenital anatomic abnormalities are rare in adults. Several patients in whom the duodenal obstruction was caused by a congenital duodenal diaphragm have been described. The duodenal obstruction in the patient presented herein was caused by a transverse septum, which has not been previously reported. A transverse septum is usually observed in the vagina; those involving the digestive tract have been rarely observed.

CASE PRESENTATION

We herein report a case involving a 69-year-old woman with a congenital duodenal transverse septum causing partial obstruction. She was admitted to our hospital with a 3-month history of epigastric pain and vomiting. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, iodinated water-soluble contrast imaging, and abdominal computed tomography revealed dilation of the stomach and a neoplasm in the descending part of the duodenum. The patient was suspected to have a tumor in the descending part of the duodenum. Exploratory laparotomy showed a banded duodenal transverse septum at the junction of the second part of the duodenum. The duodenal transverse septum was approximately 2 mm thick and 1 cm wide and divided the duodenal lumen into 2 parts. The duodenal papillae were completely normal and located under the duodenal transverse septum. Histopathological analysis of the transverse septum showed that it was similar to the organizational structure of the duodenal wall.

CONCLUSION

The possibility of congenital disease should be considered in older patients with intestinal obstruction, even when imaging studies reveal a duodenal neoplasm.

Congenital duodenal obstruction with delayed presentation: seven years of experience

INTRODUCTION

The duodenum is the most common site for congenital intestinal obstruction. The duodenal web with a central hole can present without any overt signs of obstruction at a later age.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Over a 7-year period, children with congenital intestinal obstruction were identified in this study. The complications and operative findings of patients with duodenal web with conditions such as wind sock deformity and delayed diagnosis were evaluated in this study.

RESULTS

This study included 81 infants with congenital intestinal obstruction. At operation, 48 patients demonstrated duodenal obstruction with atresia in 27, annular pancreas in 15 and malrotation in 6. Also, we observed incomplete obstruction of the duodenum due to a fenestrated web in 8 patients. The age of these patients at operation time ranged from 5 days to 72 months. Fifty percent of affected patients were associated with trisomy 21, all of whom exhibited failure to thrive due to food intolerance. The patients older than 2 years presented with major complications of gastroesophageal reflux such as esophageal ulcer, stricture and dysphagia. Additionally we had a unique case of a patient who had been referred with an epigastric mass. During the operation, we found 440 seeds of various fruits in the stomach and the first portion of the duodenum.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study emphasizes that duodenal web with a central hole can present without signs of obstruction at a later age with only failure to thrive and food intolerance. Therefore a high index of suspicion is necessary for diagnosis when it presents beyond the usual age.

Congenital duodenal diaphragm and enteroliths: A Unique complication

We report an unusual case of duodenal diaphragm (DD) with “wind-sock” anomaly in a 6-year-old male. The child presented with an acute duodenal obstruction precipitated by multiple pigmented stones completely blocking the duodenum.