Ileocaecal valve atresia: our surgical approach

Atresia of ileocaecal valve is the rarest type of intestinal atresia; there are very few reports on it in the literature and all cases described to date were treated with ileocolic resection.

We present a rare case of ileocaecal valve atresia, the third in the literature, in which a "different" technical approach was employed as an alternative to the usual surgical technique (ileocolic resection). The described case came to our attention in a patient presenting with complicated intestinal perforation in whom we performed an ileal stoma after an unsuccessful conservative approach. Approximately four months later we operated her to close the stoma: during this procedure we discovered the colic valve atresia and treated it by creating a "new ileocaecal valve" and carrying out an appendectomy. After a 7-year follow-up no complications have occurred and the girl enjoys very good health.

We conclude that performing a plasty of Bauhin's valve is a valid alternative to intestinal resection in such cases of atresia even if, according to some authors, the resection of the ileocaecal valve was not associated with increased morbidity and mortality (3).