Duodenal web associated with malrotation and review of literature

Balloon dilation of congenital perforated duodenal web in newborns: Evaluation of short and long-term results

BACKGROUND

Incomplete congenital duodenal obstruction (ICDO) is caused by a congenitally perforated duodenal web (CPDW). Currently, only six cases of balloon dilatation of the PDW in newborns have been described.

AIM

To present our experience of balloon dilatation of a perforated duodenal membrane in newborns with ICDO.

METHODS

Five newborns who underwent balloon dilatation of the CPDW along a preinstalled guidewire between 2021 and 2023 were included. Nineteen newborns diagnosed with ICDO who underwent laparotomy were included in the control group.

RESULTS

In all cases, good anatomical and clinical results were obtained. In three cases, a follow-up study was conducted after 1 year. The average time to start enteral feeding per os was significantly earlier in the study group (4.4 d) than in the laparotomic group (21.2 days; P < 0.0001). The time spent by patients in the intensive care unit and hospital after balloon dilatation was also significantly shorter. We determined the selection criteria for possible and effective CPDW balloon dilatation in newborns as follows: (1) Presence of dynamic radiographic signs of the passage of a radiopaque substance beyond the zone of narrowing or radiographic signs of pneumatisation of the duodenum and small bowel distal to the web; (2) presence of endoscopic signs of CPDW; (3) successful cannulation with a guidewire performed parallel to the endoscope, with holes in the congenital duodenal web; and (4) successful positioning of the balloon performed along a freestanding guidewire on the web.

CONCLUSION

Strictly following selection criteria for newborns with ICDO caused by CPDW ensures that endoscopic balloon dilatation using a pre-installed guidewire is safe and effective and shows good 1-year follow-up results.

Endoscopic Management of a Double Duodenal Web: A Case Report of a Rare Alimentary Anomaly

Duodenal webs are a rare clinical entity with the presentation of a double duodenal web being exceedingly uncommon. Management of duodenal webs traditionally involves duodenal web excision with duodenoduodenostomy, which is usually performed via a laparoscopic or an open approach. We report the case of a 6-month-old child who presented with progressively worsening bilious emesis with imaging findings concerning for a duodenal web. Endoscopic evaluation was performed that identified 2 webs in the fourth portion of the duodenum. These were managed completely endoscopically with balloon dilation. Although surgery is the mainstay of treatment of duodenal webs, this patient was successfully managed by endoscopic intervention without the need for open or laparoscopic excision, which has not been previously described for double duodenal webs. This work demonstrates the safety and efficacy of endoscopic management for infants with this anomaly.

[Ladd's syndrome in older children]

Most often, Ladd's syndrome clinically manifests within the first month after birth. There are few reports devoted to diagnosis of this syndrome in patients aged 6-10 years. We present 2 children with Ladd's syndrome. The disease manifested at the age of 14 years in both patients. One child was diagnosed before complications that made it possible to carry out successful surgical treatment with subsequent recovery. The second child had necrosis of rotated small bowel. This child died in long-term postoperative period due to short bowel syndrome despite adequate treatment. In some cases, Ladd's syndrome manifests in puberty. Contrast-enhanced X-ray examination of gastrointestinal tract is indicated in children for periodic abdominal pain associated or not associated with vomiting.

Three laparotomies later: extrinsic duodenal atresia from malrotation complicated by intrinsic duodenal and pyloric windsock webs

We present a term infant with the unusual findings of malrotation in combination with both duodenal and pyloric webs of windsock type, thus masquerading as postoperative bowel dysfunction and ultimately requiring three laparotomies. To the best of our knowledge these three findings in combination have not been previously reported. The dilemma of whether to perform a duodenotomy or not during malrotation repair and the importance of instrumenting the intestine from the duodenotomy site in both retrograde and antegrade directions are discussed.

Persistent Nonbilious Vomiting in a Child: Possible Duodenal Webbing

An association between malrotation and congenital duodenal webbing is rare. We present our experience with four patients at two centers, and a review of published reports. There are currently 94 reported cases of duodenal pathology associated with malrotation. However, only 15 of the 94 cases (15.9%) include patients with malrotation and a duodenal web. We suggest that nonbilious vomiting in a child must prompt the surgeon to consider duodenal pathology even in the presence of malrotation.

Small Bowel Congenital Anomalies: a Review and Update

The small intestine is a complex organ system that is vital to the life of the individual. There are a number of congenital anomalies that occur and present most commonly in infancy; however, some may not present until adulthood. Most congenital anomalies of the small intestine will present with obstructive symptoms while some may present with vomiting, abdominal pain, and/or gastrointestinal bleeding. Various radiologic procedures can aid in the diagnosis of these lesions that vary depending on the particular anomaly. Definitive therapy for these congenial anomalies is surgical, and in some cases, surgery needs to be performed urgently. The overall prognosis of congenital anomalies of the small intestine is very good and has improved with improved medical management and the advent of newer surgical modalities. The congenital anomalies of the small intestine reviewed in this article include malrotation, Meckel's diverticulum, duodenal web, duodenal atresia, jejunoileal atresia, and duplications.

Endoscopic Web Localization for Laparoscopic Duodenal Web Excision

When performing an open duodenal web excision, it is helpful to identify the web using a nasogastric tube because it is often difficult to determine where the web origin is located when looking at the serosal side of the bowel. However, it may be challenging to navigate the nasogastric tube to the web during laparoscopy. We present a novel technique that utilizes intraoperative endoscopy to precisely identify the location of the duodenal web, facilitating laparoscopic excision. Intraoperative endoscopy was implemented in the case of a 3-month-old boy undergoing laparoscopic excision of a duodenal web. With endoscopic visualization and transillumination, the duodenal web was precisely identified and excised laparoscopically. A supplemental video of the case presentation and technique is provided in the online version of this manuscript (Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/SLE/A134). The procedure was completed successfully and the patient did well postoperatively. Flexible endoscopy is a useful adjunct for duodenal web localization during laparoscopy, improving on the previous method of estimating the location based on a change in duodenal caliber.

Situs ambiguous, levocardia, right sided stomach, obstructing duodenal web, and intestinal nonrotation: a case report

When approaching a case with a situs abnormality, using the proper terminology, making a specific diagnosis, and understanding the other often associated abnormalities that need to be excluded are of great importance. We present a case of situs ambiguous in the presence of intestinal nonrotation and an obstructing duodenal web. Our patient initially presented at two days old with bilious emesis and failure to pass meconium after birth. An abdominal radiograph demonstrated an unusual bowel gas pattern, a reversed "double bubble" sign. A subsequent thorough imaging survey was crucial to further characterize our patient's unique anatomy. Overall, our case demonstrates many of the unusual plain radiographic and sonographic findings associated with our patient's situs abnormality and allows for review of situs abnormalities and their significance.