[Chronic intermittent duodenal obstruction in childhood]

Chronic intermittent duodenal obstruction caused by stenosis of the distal duodenum is a rare disease. Tight fixation of the ligament of Treitz, compression due to mesenteric lymphomatas or abnormal attachment of the mesocolon can cause intermittent impairment of intestinal passage. It will be necessary to differentiate this against genuine arterio-mesenteric duodenal obstruction as well as nerve motility disorders. History in the appropriate cases reports on postprandial episodes of regurgitation, sensation of fullness, nausea, vomiting and paroxysmal upper abdominal colicky pain. Radiograms always reveal gastroptosis and a varying degree of duodenal obstruction, usually with retroperistalsis. The passage is markedly delayed, with an impairment sometimes at the site of the duodenojejunal flexure. Therapy is always surgical. 8 own cases were cured by leftsided duodenal mobilisation according to Clairmont with additional caudad positioning and fixation of the duodenojejunal flexure.