Prognostic factors in jejuno-ileal atresia

Objective: Primarily to study morbidity and mortality in jejuno-ileal atresias (JIA) and prognostic factors for outcome. Secondarily to look at the incidence of reintervention. Methods: Retrospective review of 63 patients diagnosed with JIA over a 30-year period (1975-2005). Results: Sixty-three patients (34 male) of mean gestational age 36 weeks and mean birth weight 2,858 g with JIA were studied. There were 14 type I, 14 type II, 16 type IIIA, 9 type IIIB, and 10 type IV atresias. Thirty-three patients (52%) had associated anomalies. Fifty-one patients underwent resection and anastamosis, five patients Bishop-Koop procedure, five ileostomies, and one strictureplasty. Intestinal dilatation severe enough to warrant surgical intervention was seen in seven patients with the more severe variants of atresia. Five tapering procedures, one Bianchi operation and one STEP procedure were performed. Average hospital stay was 41 days (8-332 days). Fifty-six were alive at follow ups averaging 1.7 years (6 months to 11 years). Nine patients needed reoperations for adhesions before the first year of life. There were seven deaths. Most patients who died had associated anomalies (P = 0.017) or types IV/V atresias (P = 0.007). Conclusion: Mild atresias have an excellent prognosis and long-term survival. Severe atresias are associated with longer PN support and secondary procedures for intestinal failure. Associated anomalies adversely affect outcomes in JIA.