[The importance of tapering the intestines in congenital intestinal atresia].

Extensive intestinal resections in inborn intestinal atresias are the second most frequent cause of the short gut syndrome. Because treatment of this condition is so far minimal, prevention is of fundamental importance. One possible approach is tapering of the gut, i.e. longitudinal antimesenterial resection of the gut. At the Clinic of Paediatric Surgery in 1991-1995 30 patients with inborn atresias of the gut were operated (17 atresias of the duodenum, 11 atresias of the small intestine, 2 atresias of the large intestine). Six patients (20%) died. In 2 patients (one girl with atresia of the colon and one boy with atresia of the jejunum) developed dilatation of the gut orally from the site of resection of the atresia and a chronic subileous condition. Instead of resection of the dilated portion the gut was modelled by tapering. In both children the passage improved and the children thrive. Based on data in the literature and their own experience the authors assume that tapering of the gut should supplement primarily high jejunal atresia, apple peel syndrome and extensive dilatation of the jejunum. Tapering cannot be used above the aganglionic portion of the intestine.