title: Laparoscopy-assisted surgery for prenatally diagnosed small bowel atresia: simple, safe, and virtually scar free.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to describe a new technique for the surgical management of prenatally diagnosed small bowel atresia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Under general anesthesia, a 5-mm trocar was inserted using an open technique through an intraumbilical incision. The proximal atretic bowel end was identified using laparoscopy and mobilized toward the umbilicus using an additional 3-mm trocar inserted in the left lower quadrant. The umbilical trocar then was removed, and a ring retractor was inserted into the trocar site and used to expand the wound to deliver both atretic bowel ends. The bowel was repaired and returned to the abdomen through the umbilical wound. The umbilical fascia and skin were closed conventionally.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three patients were reviewed. Two had minimal abdominal distension, and the atretic bowel ends could be identified easily; laparoscopy-assisted surgery was successful. The third case had significant dilatation, and laparotomy was required. Postoperatively, there was minimal abdominal scarring, and the umbilicus was normal in appearance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although this experience is limited to 3 patients, this technique is simple, safe, and virtually scar free and can be applied for the treatment of neonates with prenatally diagnosed small bowel atresia, especially if there is minimal abdominal distension at birth.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Urogenital Pediatric Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Atsuyuki
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yamataka
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koga
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shimotakahara
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Urao
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yanai
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Geoffrey J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyano
mesh_terms: D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007409:Intestinal Atresia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis