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Congenital Anomalies of the Gastrointestinal Tract Diagnosed in Adulthood—Diagnosis and Management

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery Aims and scope

Abstract

Introduction

Congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract are a significant cause of morbidity in children and less frequently in adults. In rare cases, they may run undetected during childhood and may present during adolescence. These abnormalities include developmental obstructive defects of the duodenum and the small intestine, anomalies of rotation and fixation, intestinal duplications, and anomalies of the colon and rectum.

Discussion

When detected in adulthood, they may require different evaluation and surgical correction. Some of these anomalies should be managed surgically as soon as they cause symptoms. Others may cause persistent problems in adulthood requiring medical management for years. Herein, we present a comprehensive review of all the different ways of diagnosis and management of these anomalies reported in the literature.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Alexandroupolis University Hospital, Democritus University of Thrace School of Medicine, Alexandroupolis, Greece

    George Vaos

  2. 3rd Department of Surgery, Attikon University Hospital, University of Athens School of Medicine, 76 Aigeou Pelagous St., Agia Paraskevi, Athens, 15 341, Greece

    Evangelos P. Misiakos

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Correspondence to Evangelos P. Misiakos.

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Vaos, G., Misiakos, E.P. Congenital Anomalies of the Gastrointestinal Tract Diagnosed in Adulthood—Diagnosis and Management. J Gastrointest Surg 14, 916–925 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-009-1124-z

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