Morbidity and mortality in small bowel atresia. Jejuno-ileal atresia.

One hundred and one babies were admitted to the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London, between 1967 and 1981, suffering from small bowel atresia. The overall mortality in this period was 23%, although in the years 1974-81 this fell to 12%. Mortality was considerably higher in jejunal atresia than in ileal atresia. The improved survival in the second half of the series was related to more frequent use of parenteral nutrition. Morbidity and mortality following the Bishop-Koop procedure was high and this operation is inappropriate for the treatment of small bowel atresia.