THORACOSCOPY IN THE TREATMENT OF THORACOABDOMINAL DUPLICATION OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT IN AN INFANT

Digestive duplications are rare anomalies that can be found anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. The purpose of this research was to demonstrate the experience of successful treatment of a combined (thoracoabdominal) type of duplication in an infant, in which the abdominal part of the duplication penetrated the diaphragm and had an intrathoracic continuation. In a newborn female patient with an antenatal diagnosis of thoracoabdominal duplication of the digestive tract, the laparotomy and removal of the abdominal portion of the duplication were performed shortly after birth. The tubular segment located in the chest was ligated at the level of the diaphragm with the purpose of removing it in the long-term period after the abdominal procedure. At the age of 3 months, the thoracoscopy and removal of the tubular form of duplication located parallel to the normally formed esophagus were performed. The postoperative period proceeded without complications. The patient was then sent home remaining asymptomatic for 6 months following the surgical intervention. The thoracoabdominal duplication of the digestive tract is a complex surgical problem. The main goal of treatment is to completely remove the duplicated organ. The study demonstrates the possibilities of minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of this pathology.