Duodenal Atresia Repair Using a Miniature Stapler Compared to Laparoscopic Hand-Sewn and Open Technique

Laparoscopic duodenal atresia (DA) repair is a demanding procedure that requires performing a watertight anastomosis in a small working space. Drawbacks of the approach have been high leakage rates and long operative times. In this article, we evaluate our initial experience with DA repair using a laparoscopic miniature stapler (LA-MS) and compared outcomes with a historic cohort of laparoscopic hand-sewn (LA-HS) and open repairs (ORs). A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent surgery for DA at our two centers between January 2010 and April 2018 was performed. Demographics, comorbidities, intra- and postoperative data, and outcome parameters were evaluated and statistically analyzed. DA repair was performed in 44 patients. Ten patients underwent laparoscopic DA repair using an MS, 21 patients laparoscopic repair with HS anastomosis, and 13 patients underwent OR. Median age and weight at surgery was 13.5 days (range: 2-173) and 3300 g (range: 1630-5600) in the LA-MS group, 4 days (range: 2-269) and 2750 g (range: 1700-4095) in the LA-HS group and 4 days (range: 1-17) and 2222 g (range: 1520-3590) in the OR group, respectively. Mean operative time was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic stapled group compared with LA-HS group (145 ± 37 minutes (range: 97-217) versus 201 ± 47 minutes (range: 119-275), P < .004). Duodenojejunostomy was performed more frequently in the laparoscopic stapled group compared with the open procedure (P = .008). Overall complication rate was similar between groups. Time to initiation of feeds and time to full feeds were significantly shorter in the laparoscopic stapled group compared with the open approach (5 versus 11.9 days, P = .041 and 14.5 versus 24.4 days, P = .020). Laparoscopic DA repair using an MS is a novel, safe, and feasible technique that was associated with significantly shorter operating times than HS laparoscopic DA repair. Owing to its simplicity, this technique has the potential to become the new standard of care.