Duodenal atresia

The intestinal obstruction of duodenal atresia needs urgent differential diagnosis from malrotation with its risk of midgut volvulus and gangrene. There is an uncommon variant with a high incidence of familial recurrence, and a significant association with Down's syndrome, although the majority of the babies are otherwise normal. Oblique end-to-end anastomosis around the atresia is the preferred treatment and has a high success rate.