Use of intraluminal stents in multiple intestinal atresia

Multiple intestinal atresia presents a difficult technical problem because of extreme loss of intestinal length, disparity of residual bowel wall size, and discontinuity of multiple short intestinal segments. The authors report on a 3,000-g infant with gastroschisis complicated by intrauterine volvulus and multiple intestinal atresias who was treated successfully with intraluminal stenting and sutureless anastomoses. A total of 25 cm of small bowel was salvaged including 13 segments each measuring 1 to 8 cm in length. Subsequent radiographic studies showed spontaneous anastomosis with a compartmental configuration of the residual bowel and decreased transit time. Five months postoperatively, the patient was weaned off total parenteral nutrition completely and one year later is growing and gaining weight with 4 to 6 bowel movements per day.