Jejunal atresia

Fernando Heinen MD Gabriel Musante MD

Clinica y Maternidad Suizo-Argentina, Swiss Medical Group, Buenos Aires- Argentina

Case
Healthy G2P1 mother, no remarkable history. The fetal ultrasound at 16 weeks was normal. A repeat examination at 34 weeks demonstrated moderate polyhydramnios and distended bowel in fetal abdomen. The diagnosis of fetal intestinal obstruction was entertained, possibly due to an imperforate anus.

photo1

At term: normal vaginal delivery, 3.400 female baby, Apgar 10/10. Moderate abdominal distention, normal anus, no colonic meconium (photo#2, arrow : visible distended bowel), no other anomalies A nasogastric tube was inserted and bilious discharge obtained.

photo2

A plain abdominal X-ray at 3 hours postpartum (photo#3), was not conclusive to locate the obstruction, if present. This x-ray was to "early" but biliousĀ 
material obliged us to rule out intestinal obstruction.Ā 

photo3

We decided to perform another X-ray the following morning injecting 60cc of air through theĀ  nasogastric tube. A jejunal atresia was firmly suspectedĀ 
through this image. simultaneous barium enema showed a disused microcolon ( photo#4).

photo4

Surgery was performed at 24 hours postpartum. Atresia of jejunum was confirmed 40 cm distal to the angle of Treitz (photo#5).Ā 

photo5

Intraoperative air injection showed that the distal jejunum, ileum and colon were patent without atresias. Normal bowel rotation.Ā 
The proximal distended bowel was resected. In order to perform a proportionate anastomosis the proximal end was tailored, resecting anĀ 
antimesenteric triangle. An anastomosis was performed ( photo#6). Uneventful recovery, soft abdomen. Breast feeding was started the 5ƂĀ° postopĀ 
day.

photo6

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