Purpose: Intestinal atresia is a well-recognized cause of bowel obstruction in the newborn. The management of neonates with intestinal atresia has improved in recent decades due to refinements in neonatal intensive care, operative techniques, use
of
total parenteral nutrition (TPN), and neonatal anesthesia. More recently, the survival rate has risen rapidly up to 90%. Methods: Twenty-five (25) cases of intestinal atresia were encountered at Kwangju-Christian Hospital between January 1985 and
December 1998. We reviewed sex, gestational age, body weight, clinical manifestations, associated anomalies, causes, interval to operation, preoperative complications, operative methods, and postoperative complications. Results: Sites involved
were
the
duodenum (n=10; 40%), the jejunum (n=5; 20%), and the ileum (n=10; 40%). The sex distribution was male predominant (1.8：1). The overall survival rate in our hospital was 76%. Conclusion: Refinements in neonatal intensive care and perioperative
management were important in decreasing postoperative mortality.
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