The role of preserved bowel and mesentery fixation in apple-peel intestinal atresia

Objective

This study explored the feasibility of mesoplasty with end-to-side anastomosis in the treatment of different apple-peel mesenteric defects with high jejunal atresia.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 42 premature infants admitted to the hospital between 2014 and 2021. Prenatal ultrasound scans revealed bowel dilatation. The patients experienced vomiting after birth and produced white or no meconium. Plain radiography showed double or triple bubble signs and the patients underwent emergency laparotomy. High jejunal atresia with different apple-peel atresia appearance was discovered intraoperatively, involving mobilization of the ileocecal region. Patients received end-to-side anastomosis between the enlarged blind pouch and atretic bowel, as well as mesoplasty. A jejunal feeding tube was placed trans-nasally. Patients were discharged after achieving full enteral feeding. We also reviewed the literature on the subject.

Results

Three patients died and 39 survived. The discharged patients were followed up for 12 months, and none showed post-operative complications such as intestinal obstruction, malnutrition, or chronic diarrhea. All surviving patients reached the expected height and weight for children of the same age.

Conclusion

For cases of high jejunal atresia with apple-peel intestinal atresia, mesoplasty may be a good option to avoid postoperative volvulus.

The role of sonography for depiction of a whirlpool sign unrelated to midgut malrotation in neonates

BACKGROUND

The sonographic whirlpool sign of volvulus due to midgut malrotation is well recognized. However, variations of the whirlpool sign may be seen in other conditions, but this observation has received little attention in the literature.

OBJECTIVE

This study presents a series of neonates with a variety of causes of congenital intestinal obstruction, all associated with a whirlpool sign (unrelated to midgut volvulus), which was correctly recognized preoperatively on sonography. We also emphasize the pivotal role of sonography in managing congenital obstruction of the intestinal tract in neonates.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of clinical, imaging and surgical findings in 11 neonates with congenital intestinal obstruction associated with a whirlpool sign (unrelated to midgut volvulus) that was recognized preoperatively on sonography and in whom the cause for the whirlpool was documented at surgery.

RESULTS

Eleven neonates (eight male, three female) had clinical and radiographic evidence of intestinal obstruction in whom sonography depicted a whirlpool sign, which was recognized on the initial sonogram in nine and on a repeat sonogram in two. The whirlpool was located in the upper abdomen in only two, mid-abdomen in five and right lower quadrant in four. The whirlpool was only 1-2 cm in diameter. An upper gastrointestinal series in three neonates failed to depict the cause of obstruction. Contrast enema in three cases had findings suggesting the site of obstruction was in the ileum but none depicted the exact cause of the obstruction. At surgery, the whirlpool sign correlated with a segmental volvulus of the small intestine in eight neonates and with the coiled distal small intestine associated with apple-peel atresia in the other three.

CONCLUSION

This study illustrates neonates in whom a whirlpool sign (unrelated to midgut volvulus) was correctly recognized on sonography before surgery. Sonography proved more useful than an upper gastrointestinal series or contrast enema in depicting the exact cause of the obstruction. Pediatric radiologists must make the effort to search throughout the entire abdomen and pelvis for a small whirlpool sign on sonography, even in the absence of midgut malrotation, in neonates with congenital intestinal obstruction. Its recognition preoperatively will facilitate a rapid diagnosis and will obviate the necessity for contrast examinations of the gastrointestinal tract, which require ionizing radiation.

Long-term surgical outcomes of apple-peel atresia

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate (i) postoperative course of apple-peel atresia (APA), (ii) long-term follow-up of APA children, and (iii) risk factors for poor prognosis.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of 39 APA neonates treated at our institution between 2008 and 2017. Patient characteristics, operative details, postoperative course, long-term outcomes, and prognostic factors were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 39 APA neonates, 30 (76.9%) were born preterm, and 20 (51.3%) were diagnosed prenatally. All patients underwent primary anastomosis within the first week after birth: 10 laparoscopic-assisted (25.6%) and 29 open (74.4%). Postoperative complications occurred in 28 patients (71.8%), of which 20 (71.4%) developed cholestasis. Survival at hospital discharge was 94.9%. Median parenteral nutrition period was 59 days. Reoperation was required in 7 children (17.9%) owing to anastomotic obstruction (n = 3) and adhesive intestinal obstruction (n = 4). 32 children (82.1%) were followed up for an average of 5.7 years, of which 23 children (71.9%) showed normal growth and development. APA patients with low birth weight and associated anomalies had significantly worse outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Most of the patients with apple-peel atresia have excellent long-term outcomes, though initial postoperative complications are common. Low birth weight and the presence of associated anomalies are independent prognostic factors in APA.

TYPE OF STUDY

Prognosis study (case series).

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

A new variant of type III jejunoileal atresia

Jejunoileal atresia (JIA) is a congenital defect that can result in significant loss of bowel length. The traditional classification of JIA was first proposed by Grosfeld and includes 4 subtypes. Among these, type IIIB, or apple-peel atresia, is characterized by a proximal atretic jejunum and a distal segment of spiraled bowel that terminates at the cecum. Owing to this anatomy, patients with type IIIB JIA are at increased risk for short bowel syndrome and intestinal failure. In this report, we described the case of a neonate with a prenatal diagnosis of JIA. At exploration, she was initially found to have a type IIIB atresia. However, instead of terminating at the cecum, the distal spiraled segment was followed by 75 cm of normal small bowel and mesentery. Surgical correction proceeded with minimal resection and primary anastomosis. She recovered well from this procedure, tolerated full enteral nutrition by mouth, and displayed good weight gain at outpatient follow-up. Owing to the unique anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract in this case report, we propose the addition of a new class of JIA, type IIIC, to better reflect its prognostication and surgical management.

Situs inversus abdominalis, polysplenia, complex jejunal atresia and malrotation in a neonate: A rare association

INTRODUCTION

Situs inversus, polysplenia, complex jejuna atresia are rare anomalies in isolation. Their association in a single patient is even rarer with challenges in diagnosis and management.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 5 day old neonate presented with features of small bowel obstruction. Radiological investigations revealed situs inversus abdominalis with dilated proximal small bowel loops. At laparotomy, abdominal situs inversus, polysplenia, multiple jejunal atresias with apple peel appearance of the ileum with malrotation was seen.

CONCLUSIONS

The association of situs inversus, polysplenia and complex jejunal atresia is very rare. Pre-operative diagnosis of situs inversus is important for appropriate incision placement and surgical planning.

Duodenal atresia with apple-peel configuration of the ileum and absent superior mesenteric artery

Background

Embryologically, duodenal atresia results from inadequate recanalisation and proliferation of gut epithelius in the 6th week of gestation, while apple-pee atresia of small bowel is a consequence of a vascular accident in subsequent embryonic development, and the two are rather rarely manifested as a joint clinical entity.

Case presentation

We present here a 29 week preterm boy admitted to the intensive care unit due to breathing difficulties and low birthweight. Following clinical, radiographic and ultrasound examination, he was diagnosed with duodenal obstruction and subjected to surgical treatment.

The exploration of abdominal cavity verified duodenal atresia in the second portion with the absence of third and fourth portions of duodenum, superior mesenteric artery, as well as apple-peel atresia of jejunum. Resection of the apple-peel segment of jejunum was done and the continuity of digestive tube was established by the end-to-end duodeno-ileal anastomosis.

Conslusion

This rare case of ours questions the embryology of duodenal atresia suggesting that a mesenteric vascular disruption phenomenon in subsequent embryonic life might be the aetiological factor.