Background: The surgical procedure for treating congenital duodenal atresia has normally been performed by an upper abdominal transverse incision. Recently, duodenoduodenostomy has been attempted using an umbilical crease incision to improve the cosmetic results.
Methods: Eighteen cases of duodenal obstruction, including 15 atresia, 2 stenosis, and 1 atresia and stenosis, were treated from June 2001 to August 2009, in which 8 cases were performed via the umbilical crease incision and 10 cases via the conventional transverse incision. The clinical records of all cases were evaluated retrospectively.
Results: All cases underwent radical operation safely. There were no differences in the operating time between the two kinds of incision. Two cases of umbilical crease incision showed minor complications. All the cases operated via the umbilical crease incision achieved a scarless abdomen within a few months after the operation.
Conclusions: The outcome of duodenal atresia is satisfactory with excellent cosmesis after a duodenoduodenostomy performed via the umbilical crease incision.