Congenital double pyloric ostium in the adult

Duplication of the pylorus, an extremely rare congenital anomaly of the stomach, consists of two openings connecting the antrum of the stomach to the duodenal bulb. Approximately 70 cases of double pylorus have been described in the literature, most of which are associated with the presence of chronic peptic ulcers, thus indicating an acquired origin of the condition. We report a case of congenital double pylorus in a 64-year-old man who complained about mild postprandial epigastric discomfort and nausea of approximately 3 months' duration. Endoscopic examination of the stomach showed a double pyloric ostium connecting the stomach to the duodenum. No signs of acute or chronic peptic ulcer were noted. A biopsy was taken from the region between the two openings, which showed normal mucosa and a muscularis mucosae layer. Apart from a mild gastritis, no other pathology (chronic peptic ulcer, ulcerated malignancy) suggesting an acquired origin of the double pylorus was observed. Therefore, the case was considered to be congenital in origin. The patient was successfully treated conservatively with antacids and gastrokinetics.

Communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformations: classification and embryogenesis

Communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformations (CBPFMs) are characterized by a fistula between an isolated portion of respiratory tissue (ie, a lung, a lung lobe, or a segment) and esophagus or stomach. We combine our 30-year (1959 to 1989) experience of 6 cases with 51 reported patients to propose a CBPFM classification supported by a proposed embryogenesis theory. Group I (16%): anomaly is associated with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. Group II (33%): one lung originates from the lower esophagus. Group III (46%): an isolated anatomic lung lobe or segment communicates with the esophagus or stomach. Group IV (5%): A portion of the normal bronchial system communicates with the esophagus. The portion of the lung served by the communicating bronchus receives systemic blood supply. The right and left lung sacs curve dorsally to embrace the lower esophagus during normal lung development. At this stage a part of the lung bud joins the esophagus. This segment then breaks away from the main pulmonary anlage to form a CBPFM. CBPFMs should be considered in the workup of infants with respiratory distress and/or recurrent pneumonias. Patients with suspected pulmonary sequestration should undergo contrast studies to exclude a gastrointestinal communication.

Gastroschisis in 106 consecutive newborn infants

Primary tissue closure of gastroschisis remains controversial. Some surgeons routinely place a silicone rubber sheet silo over the exposed bowel, planning a staged closure. In the past 14 1/2 years, we have cared for 106 newborns with gastroschisis, closing the defect primarily in 80%. The success of this technique depends on enlarging the abdominal cavity and decreasing the volume of bowel that must be replaced in the peritoneal cavity. Thorough preoperative rectal irrigation should evacuate all meconium. After undermining the skin around the abdominal wall defect for only 1 cm, a midline subcutaneous fasciotomy is created from the xiphoid to the pubis. The abdominal wall is then stretched in all quadrants beginning at the flanks. The eviscerated small bowel can often be returned without enlarging the initial skin defect. The skin is closed with subcuticular absorbable sutures reinforced by long skin tapes. The small ventral hernia that results is closed at about 1 year of age. Fascia could be closed primarily in 28% of these patients, and 17% required a prosthetic pouch. The duration of postoperative ileus and length of hospital stay were statistically significantly shorter in the infants who underwent primary closure. Even though more complicated patients were included in the primary closure group, the incidence of mortality and morbidity was not higher than in patients treated with silicone rubber pouches. Deaths were inevitable in five infants with gangrenous bowel, multiple anomalies, and extreme prematurity. Deaths were related to sepsis in three infants and were the result of operative or anesthetic technique in four. Only two preoperative factors were prognostic of morbidity and mortality: gestational age (but not birth weight) and the presence of intestinal ischemia or atresia.