Total intestinal atresia with failure of recanalization extending from the duodenum to the rectum: The first case...

Intestinal atresia is a congenital condition characterized by the blockage or constriction of an intestine portion. It is caused by either a vascular issue or a failure of recanalization during fetal development. Surgery is essential for both a definitive diagnosis and therapy.

A preterm neonate (gestational age 34 weeks) was delivered by cesarean section due to polyhydramnios and complained of recurrent episodes of non-bilious vomiting after breastfeeding. Prenatal ultrasound revealed a double bubble sign, indicating intestinal atresia, while on contrast imaging, the contrast was refluxed from the stomach to the esophagus, the absence of gases in the intestine or colon suggested a gastric outlet obstruction. The atretic intestine was identified during laparotomy, from the second section of the duodenum to the rectum with no lumen. There were no surgical options available. Atresia is typically treated by excision and anastomosis of the remaining normal canalized intestine. However, in our case, a total intestinal atresia was discovered, and no intestinal lumen was identified to undergo surgery.

It was found that the atretic intestine in our case extended from the duodenum to the rectum. However, in the two previously documented cases of atresia, the atresia began in the jejunum and progressed to the rectum in one instance and the sigmoid colon in the other.

Because there were no alternative surgical options, the intestine was relocated, and the abdomen was closed. Such cases require more sensitive diagnostic instruments to recognize, and probable etiologies should be researched further to prevent them.