[Extensive small intestinal resection in newborn infants].

This retrospective study analyzes the management of 83 infants who had undergone extensive small bowel resection as newborns between 1970 and 1987. Resection was performed for atresia (n = 34), volvulus (n = 21), laparoschisis (n = 10), vascular enteropathy (n = 10) and other disorders in 8 cases. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I (33 children) has less than 40 cm and Group II (50 children) 40-80 cm of residual small bowel respectively. Survival depended on the length of residual small bowel (Group I: 63.6%, Group II: 92%) and on their date of birth (born before 1980: 65%, after 1980: 95%). The time required for acquisition of intestinal autonomy depended on the intestinal length (average time, 29.5 months for Group I and 14 months for Group II) and especially on the presence of the ileocecal valve. The residual ileal and/or colon length also influenced adaptation. Artificial parenteral and/or enteral nutrition ensured normal height/weight increases. Home parenteral nutrition allowed children to be returned to their families during intestinal adaptation.