htmlLOGICAL APPROACH TO NEONATAL INTESTINAL OBSTRUCTIONSigns and Symptoms* Bilious vomiting is always abnormal.* Abdominal distention (scaphoid abdomen possible).* Delayed, scanty or no passage of meconium.* Polyhydramnios in mother.* Down's syndrome* Family history: Hirschsprung's disease, Diabetic mother, Jejunal atresiaWork-up (Logical approach)While the infant is being studied, it must be kept in mind that the problem may be 'non-surgical'.Sepsis of the newborn with associated ileus is the most important cause of non-surgical bilious vomiting and abdominal distention.Intracranial lesions: Hydrocephalus, Subdural hemorrhageRenal disease associated with uremia: Renal agenesis. Polycystic disease, other urinary- tract anomalies, which may be associated with severe hydronephrosis.Plain roentgenograms of the abdomen.Diagnostic in complete high intestinal obstruction- no gas in distal small bowel: (Double bubble in duodenal obstruction: Few gas filled loops beyond duodenum indicates jejunal atresia)Many gas filled loops (requires 24 hours) indicates some form of low intestinal obstruction.May be nonspecific in instances of malrotation of the intestines. This diagnosis must always be considered in neonates with unexplained bilious vomiting.Calcifications - at some time during fetal life meconium was (is) present in the abdomen.Contrast enema will differentiate the various types of low intestinal obstruction.Microcolon - complete obstruction of the small bowel.Meconium plug syndrome - colon dilated proximal to an intraluminal mass.Hirschsprung's disease - although it may appear to be diagnostic, not reliable in the newborn.Small left colon syndrome - colon dilated to the splenic flexure, then becomes narrow.Upper G.I. series - the procedure of choice in diagnosing malrotation of the intestines.In the past a contrast enema was thought to be the diagnostic test of choice in instances of malrotation but the cecum and ascending colon can be in normal position in an infant or child with malrotation of the intestines.Rectal biopsy - a pathologist competent in reading the slides is essential and should not be taken for granted.Suction biopsy of the rectal mucosa and submucosa- best screening procedure to rule out Hirschsprung's disease (ganglion cells are present in the submucosa), and is diagnostic in experienced hands.Full thickness biopsy of the rectal wall may be necessary if the suction biopsy is non-diagnostic or if the pathologist is unwilling or unable to make the diagnosis of aganglionosis on a suction biopsy specimen. This procedure is difficult in the small infant and has been replaced by the suction biopsy in most centers.All newborns who have delayed passage of meconium associated with a suspicious contrast enema should have a suction biopsy of the rectal mucosa and submucosa. With this technique, Hirschsprung's disease will be diagnosed early before it is complicated with enterocolitis.Hirschsprung's DiseaseOccurs in 1 out of every 5000 live birthsQCharacterized pathologically by absent ganglion cells in the myenteric (Auerbach's)Q and submucosal (Meissner's) plexusQ with hypertrophy of nerve trunksQ in the plexusMC affected site: Rectosigmoid (75%)Q > splenic flexure or transverse colon (17%) > Entire colon with variable extension into the small bowelQ (8%)Increased Risk: Positive family historyQ and Down syndromeQPathogenesis:Characterized pathologically by absent ganglion cells in the myenteric (Auerbach's) and submucosal (Meissner's) plexus with hypertrophy of nerve trunksQ in the plexusAssociated with muscular spasm of the distal colon and internal anal sphincter resulting in a functional obstructionQAbnormal bowel is the contracted distal segment whereas the normal bowel is the proximal, dilated portionQ.Clinical PresentationNeonatesFirst few weeks of lifeOtherwise healthy children and adultsSuspected in all neonates presenting with:* Delayed passage of meconium beyond the first 24 hours of lifeQ* Abdominal distension following feedsQSuspected in any child presenting in first view weeks of life with:* Gross abdominal distensionQ* Chronic constipationQ* Failure to thriveQShort segment Hirschsprung's disease should be suspected in otherwise healthy children and adultsQ presenting wilh:* Severe constipation without fecal soiling* Fecal soiling is usually not a feature of this condition.Digital examination:Rectum is empty on digital examinationQRapid expulsion of feces often follows examinationQContracted rectal wall can sometimes be appreciated by examining finger DiagnosisRectal biopsyAnorectal manometryRadiology* Gold standard for the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's diseaseQ* Confirms the diagnosis on demonstration of:* AganglionosisQ* Hypertrophic nerve fibres in the nerve plexusQ* Useful as a screening testQ* Rectoanal inhibitory reflex is absentQ* Water soluble contrast enema indicates the length and site of involved intestine.* Important positive findings include:- Coning down of transition zone - Irregularity in mucosa - Abnormal contraction of intestineRepeated tube decompression and gentle rectal washouts with 30-50 ml of normal saline have a positive and significant clinical impact on these patients.Treatment of Hirschsprung's DiseaseShort segment diseaseLong segment disease* Extended myectomyQ removing a strip of rectal wall up to the area where normal ganglion cells start may be sufficient* Temporary colostomyQ for a few months to allow proximal intestine to return to its normal caliber followed by definitive procedures:* SwensonQ* DuhamelQ* SoaveQPrognosis:Excellent overall survivalMC post-operative problems: Constipation (MC)Q >soiling incontinence >enterocolitis.">