Peculiarities of surgical treatment of gastrointestinal tract combined congenital malformations in newborns

Abstract

Congenital gastrointestinal (GI) malformations make up 21–25 % of all congenital anomalies and require surgical correction in the neonatal period. The aim was to analyze the methods of operative treatment of hard composite congenital gastrointestinal malformations in infants. Materials and Methods: There were 13 newborns with gastroschisis, omphalocele and esophageal atresia combined with intestinal atresia, anal atresia and also with congenital heart defects in our study. Results. We have designed new preoperative care strategies for the newborns. All combined GI defects were corrected in one step. In gastroschisis and omphalocele in combination with small intestine atresia we made a plastic of anterior abdominal wall, bowel segment resection and anastomosis end-to-end. In esophageal atresia and atresia of the anus direct esophago-esophagoanastomosis was applied with suturing of tracheoesophageal fistula, also in two patients proctoplasty by Pena 2 was carried out, and in one patient with high anal atresia colostomy was applied, which was closed in the age of 6 months. In case of esophageal atresia combined with small intestine atresia direct esophago-esophagoanastomosis with tracheoesophageal fistula suturing was carried out, and resection of the bowel segment with anastomosis end-to-end was applied. In a patient with a combination of esophageal atresia and duodenal obstruction esophagoplasty and closure of tracheoesophageal fistula with anastomosis by Kimur was made. Preference was given to the combined anesthesia with neuraxial blockade. Postoperative care included prolonged artificial lung ventilation, anesthesia, parenteral nutrition, antibacterial and antifungal medicines. Conclusions. One-step correction of the congenital GI malformations in newborns is effective and it gives opportunity to achieve the best results with a single surgical intervention. Extremely important links of the combined GI defects therapy is timely and balanced preoperative preparation, anesthetic management with the advantage of neuraxial blockade usage, as well as careful postoperative management of the patient.