Colonic atresia: a rare entity in the newborn. A six-case report and a bibliographic review

INTRODUCTION

Colonic atresia is a rare malformation accounting for 1.8-15% of all intestinal atresias. We present a 6-case series along with a bibliographic review.

CLINICAL CASE

This 6-case series consists of three female cases and three male cases diagnosed 24-84 hours following birth. They were all located in the right hemicolon. The most relevant clinical signs included abdominal distension, absence of defecation, and bilious to fecal vomit. Repairs included primary or step-by-step anastomoses for bowel transit reconstruction. One patient diagnosed at > 72 hours of life died.

CONCLUSION

In our experience with colonic atresia, when primary or step-by-step intestinal recanalization (diversion for future repair) is achieved, the expected prognosis is excellent, provided that colonic atresia has been diagnosed at 24-48 hours of life.