Laparoscopy-assisted surgery for neonatal intestinal atresia and stenosis: a report of 35 cases.

PURPOSE: Jejunal-ileal atresias are the most common causes of intestinal occlusion in neonatal period. Treatment is classically performed by a right upper quadrant transverse laparotomy. Our study aimed to present our initial experience of intestinal atresia in newborn treated with laparoscopic assisted approach.

METHODS: Overall 35 small intestinal atresias, which occurred in infants from September 2009 to July 2012 in our hospital, were treated by laparoscopy-assisted procedure. After carefully inspecting through laparoscope by a multi-port or single-site approach, these were definitely diagnosed. The anastomosis of intestinal atresia was manually performed after exteriorization of the bowel via the umbilical port site incision.

RESULTS: There were no conversions to an open procedure and no intraoperative various complications. The incision of umbilical port was about 2-2.5 cm. The post-operative course was uneventful.

CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy-assisted procedure could be safely accomplished in neonates with intestinal atresia. Comparing to open surgery, parents were extremely satisfied with the cosmetic results. The early experience suggests that the outcomes are excellent.