Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 11, 2025
Robotic D3 Partial Duodenal Resection with Primary Side-to-Side Anastomosis
Published on: December 15, 2023
One-year Outcomes of Congenital Duodenal Obstruction: A Population-based Study
George S Bethell1, Anna-May Long2,3, Marian Knight2
1University Surgery Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton.
Insights
Outcomes for infants with congenital duodenal obstruction (CDO) are generally good one year after surgical repair. Poor outcomes are usually linked to other health conditions, not the obstruction itself.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neonatal Care
- Surgical Outcomes Research
Background:
- Congenital duodenal obstruction (CDO) affects approximately 1.2 in 10,000 live births.
- CDO is often accompanied by other congenital anomalies, particularly cardiac defects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the one-year outcomes following surgical repair of congenital duodenal obstruction.
- To provide data for national benchmarking and parental counseling regarding CDO prognosis.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, population-based study utilizing the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons Congenital Anomaly Surveillance System.
- Inclusion of infants undergoing surgical repair for CDO at UK specialist pediatric surgical centers over a 12-month period.
- Follow-up data collected at one year post-surgical repair.
Main Results:
- Follow-up was achieved in 80% (76/80) of infants at one year, with 76 infants alive.
- Repeat surgery for CDO-related issues was required in 6.1% of infants.
- Central venous catheter-related complications occurred in 23% of infants within one year. Overall mortality was 8.4%, unrelated to CDO.
Conclusions:
- One-year outcomes for congenital duodenal obstruction are generally favorable.
- Adverse outcomes are predominantly associated with comorbidities rather than the obstruction itself.
- Study data are valuable for national performance standards and informing parents.
Objectives:
Congenital duodenal obstruction (CDO) occurs in 1.2 per 10,000 live births and is frequently associated with other anomalies, most commonly cardiac. The aim of this study was to report important outcomes to 1 year following surgical repair.
Methods:
This was a prospective population-based study using the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons Congenital Anomaly Surveillance System. Cases were identified at specialist pediatric surgical centres in the United Kingdom during a 12-month period starting in March 2016. Outcomes were recorded at 1 year following surgical repair.
Results:
There were 100 infants with possible follow-up at 1 year and follow-up was achieved in 80 of these (80%) of whom 76 were alive at 1 year. The remainder had been discharged home, although one remained on parenteral nutrition. Five (6.1%) infants underwent repeat surgery for reasons related to CDO and overall 23 (23%) experienced at least 1 central venous catheter-related complication within 1 year. Overall mortality either before repair or within 1 year following surgical repair was 8.4% (95% CI 2.5%-14.4%), no deaths were related to CDO.
Conclusions:
One year outcomes for CDO are generally very good with poor outcomes typically related to comorbidities. These data are useful for national benchmarking and parental counselling.
