A Clinical Study of Congenital Duodenal Obstruction

Huh, Young Soo; Suh, Bo Yang; Kwun, Koing Bo

Abstract

Congenital duodenal obstruction in the newborn infant may be due to a variety of causes. Duodenal obstruction often presents with bilious vomiting and upper abdominal distention. Diagnosis is usually established on plain x-ray of the abdomen by the classic finding of the double-bubble. In the period July 1986 to June 1990, 16 patients with congenital duodenal obstruction were operated and the following results were obtained. 1. Sixteen patients were comprised of 11 males and 5 females, the ratio of male and female was 2.2:1. 2. Thirteen patients (81%) had been admitted to our hospital during one month of life. 3. Congenital duodenal obstruction was in 16 cases; malrotation in eight (50%), annular pancreas in six (38%), type 1 atresia in one (6%), and wind-sock anomaly in one (6%). 4. There were two premature patients and six patients of small for gestational age. 5. Overall, bilious vomiting, occurring in three fourths, was the single most frequent presenting complaint. 6. Polyhydramnios occurred in two of the patients. 7. Diagnosis was possible with clinical symptom and simple abdomen. 8. The operative procedures performed were; duodenoduodenostomy in five, duodenojejunostomy in two, excision of wind-sock membrane in one, and Ladd's procedure in eight. 9. A total of ten associated congenital anomalies were found in six patients. 10. Postoperative complications occurred in five cases (31%).