Ras Al Khaimah: A newborn Emirati girl was successfully operated for a rare congenital abnormality that accounts for one per cent of all intestinal obstructions in the paediatric population.
Born at RAK Hospital, the doctors noted that the full-term baby had abdominal distension (elevated abdominal pressure and volume) and bilious vomiting. The paediatric specialists diagnosed annular pancreas (malformation of a ring of tissue that surrounds the second part of the duodenum) with duodenal atresia (underdevelopment of the first part of the duodenum).
On the first day, the baby was not able to tolerate feeding, and had difficulty swallowing. She was also vomiting and had a distended stomach.
The doctors performed a complex intestinal bypass operation.
Dr Anup Panigrahi, laparoscopic surgeon and Head of Minimal Access Surgery at the Hospital, said in a media statement, “Annular pancreas accounts for 1 per cent of all intestinal obstructions in the paediatric population. In up to 50 per cent of the cases, it is associated with other congenital anomalies, including Down’s syndrome [30 per cent][.”
Dr Panigrahi was part of the team that performed the surgery on the newborn. He said, “Congenital causes of duodenal obstruction require surgery, but to perform the surgery on a day-old baby was a tough call. We are happy that the baby has recovered well without any complications.”
Post-surgery, the baby was treated at the Neonatal intensive care unit of the hospital for three weeks and was discharged after full recovery.
“Seeing our little baby vomiting and crying, and in constant pain made us miserable. We couldn’t comprehend the thought of our newborn going through such an operation, but we were assured by Dr Panigrahi and the team at RAK Hospital. With god’s grace our baby is happy, playful and thriving,” said May Hassan, the mother.
