Congenital duodenal obstruction by membrane in the newborn; case report

Abstract

Congenital membrane type duodenal atresia is a rare pathology (1 x 10,000 to 40,000 live births), It is characterized by incomplete intestinal lumen obstruction with a small orifice or membrane. This happens due to failure of revacuolization at the stage of intestinal growth. Once birth occurs the main symptom is postprandrial vomiting, and no weight gain of the newborn. If these cases are not diagnosed at this stage, there is exacerbation of vomiting that leads to important nutrient deficit. We report a child born at term (40 weeks), weighing 2700gr at birth, with diagnosis of congenital duodenal membrane type atresia after the first 72 hours. Exploratory laparotomy, resection of the intraluminal membrane and duodeduodenostomy were performed by the Kimura technique, leaving transanastomotic feeding tube. Early enteral nutrition was achieved successfully. The child was discharged 14 days postsurgery.