[Long-term results in intestinal atresias and stenoses distal to the ligament of Treitz (author's transl)].

From 1945 to 1975 61 cases of atresias and stenoses of the small intestine distal to the ligament of Treitz and atresias and stenoses of the colon were treated at the University Children's Hospital Zurich. The long-term results of 51 well documented cases are presented and the influence of improvement of operative techniques the establishment of an intensive care unit and the introduction of long-term parenteral nutrition is analyzed. Cases treated during the earlier period (1945-1965) are compared with those from 1966 to 1975. The overall-all mortality was high. Out of 51 patients there were only 19 long-term survivors. During the first period 71% died, during the second 52%. The reason for the still high mortality is especially the high number of intraoperative additional complicating findings (meconium peritonitis, volvulus etc.). Additional malformations in other organ systems and low birth weight were not important factors for survival in this series. None of the 19 long-term survivors had to be reoperated after the first discharge from the hospital. At late control they were healthy, and most of them without abdominal symptoms. Only three complained of occasional diarrhoea. All but one were within normal percentiles for weight and height.