AN ADULT CASE OF DUODENAL WEB TREATED WITH ENDOSCOPIC MEMBRANECTOMY

Abstract

A 31-year old woman was admitted to our hospital with vomiting and backache. which had started within a week after her birth. After upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and upper gastrointestinal contrast study. she was diagnosed as having congenital duodenal web. Endoscopic membranectomy was performed successfully using a snare for polypectomy under general anesthesia. The only complication was bleeding from the site of the membranectomy observed on the 2nd postoperative day. which was successfully managed by electrocoagulation and clipping. The patient's symptoms such as vomiting and backache disappeared soon after the membranectomy. Although congenital duodenal web is rare in adults. it should be considered in the differential diagnosis for the patients with complaints of repeated vomiting. Endoscopic membranectomy seems to be safe. harmless. and most effective treatment. and can be expected to become the most common treatment for congenital duodenal web.