[Subtotal resection of the small intestine in newborn infants and infants. Results of an inquiry].

A circular was sent to eight clinics and 36 cases of children with extensive resections of the small intestine are reported. The reasons for the resections of the intestine were atresia and stenosis in the largest number of cases, then volvulus and lastly necrotizing enteritis. The residual intestine was measured with the measuring tape in only eight cases. The method of measurement in the other cases was not given. Surgery was unilateral in 26 cases and bilateral in ten. Surgical measures to slow passage were not used. The most frequent single causes of death were sepsis or pulmonary complications. The cause of death was a true malabsorption in only two cases. The main difficulties in the postoperative phase are ensuring adequate parenteral uptake of calories and the complications due to cava-catheter sepsis.