ABSTRACT
Once the diagnosis is established, the infant should be prepared for surgery. Little preoperative preparation is required if the diagnosis is made within the first 36 hours. Preoperative preparation consists of nasogastric decompression and fluid and electrolyte replacement. Care is taken to preserve body heat and avoid hypoglycemia, since most of these newborn patients are premature and small for dates. Very low birth weight infants or those with respiratory distress syndrome and associated severe anomalies, e.g. congenital heart disease, will need special preparation such as resuscitation and ventilation.
