Complex gastroschisis with apple peel jejunoileal atresia, primary closure, and Santulli procedure as a surgical alternative. Case report

BACKGROUND: Gastroschisis is a closure defect of the abdominal wall classified as complex when it presents with necrosis, volvulus, or atresia of the gastrointestinal tract. Jejunoileal atresia is caused by abnormal closure, discontinuity, or narrowing of the intestine. Apple Peel or type IIIb is the rarest presentation, with an incidence of 1.3 per 10,000 live births. In addition to presenting a high mortality rate. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a preterm newborn patient of 30 weeks with a diagnosis of gastroschisis and jejunoileal atresia type IIIB. The congenital wall defect was closed in the first surgical stage, and he was then taken at four weeks to correct the atresia. In the second surgery, we found a difference in intestinal calibers of 8:1, and the surgical team decides to perform remodeling of the proximal sac with a mechanical stapler and perform anastomosis using the Santulli technique. On day 6 of life, enteral feeding began through a nutrition tube localized under intestinal anastomosis with progressive nutritional increase. Subsequently, intermittent and progressive occlusion of the stoma was performed, leading the patient to a definitive surgical closure one month later. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality rate for gastroschisis and complex intestinal atresia is high. Advances in prenatal diagnosis, neonatal intensive care, and proper surgical correction are crucial to improving survival rates. The Santulli procedure is a surgical alternative for intestinal atresias with a caliber discrepancy greater than 4 to 1 or when the characteristics of the distal part do not allow a primary anastomosis to be performed.