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Updated: Nov 9, 2025
Murine Ileocolic Bowel Resection with Primary Anastomosis
Published on: October 29, 2014
Colonic atresia: a rare entity in the newborn. A six-case report and a bibliographic review
C Cabrera Valerio1, Z Díaz1, E Alcántara1
1Dr. Robert Reíd Cabral Pediatric Hospital (Dominican Republic).
Insights
Early diagnosis of colonic atresia (a rare intestinal malformation) within 24-48 hours of birth leads to excellent outcomes with surgical reconstruction. Delayed diagnosis beyond 72 hours can be fatal.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Congenital Malformations
- Gastrointestinal Surgery
Background:
- Colonic atresia is a rare congenital anomaly, comprising 1.8-15% of all intestinal atresias.
- This study reviews a 6-case series and relevant literature on colonic atresia management.
Observation:
- Six neonates (3 male, 3 female) were diagnosed with colonic atresia 24-84 hours postnatally.
- All cases presented with abdominal distension, absent defecation, and fecal vomiting, with atresia located in the right hemicolon.
Findings:
- Surgical repair involved primary or staged anastomoses for bowel continuity.
- One patient diagnosed after 72 hours of life did not survive, highlighting the critical timing of intervention.
Implications:
- Timely diagnosis and surgical intervention (24-48 hours) are crucial for successful outcomes in colonic atresia.
- Prompt intestinal recanalization offers an excellent prognosis for affected neonates.
Introduction:
Colonic atresia is a rare malformation accounting for 1.8-15% of all intestinal atresias. We present a 6-case series along with a bibliographic review.
Clinical Case:
This 6-case series consists of three female cases and three male cases diagnosed 24-84 hours following birth. They were all located in the right hemicolon. The most relevant clinical signs included abdominal distension, absence of defecation, and bilious to fecal vomit. Repairs included primary or step-by-step anastomoses for bowel transit reconstruction. One patient diagnosed at > 72 hours of life died.
Conclusion:
In our experience with colonic atresia, when primary or step-by-step intestinal recanalization (diversion for future repair) is achieved, the expected prognosis is excellent, provided that colonic atresia has been diagnosed at 24-48 hours of life.
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