ABSTRACT
Congenital abnormalities of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are relatively common. Owing to their nature, they frequently require surgical correction. On occasion this must be undertaken as a matter of emergency in order to avoid catastrophic intestinal ischemia and necrosis, resulting in loss of bowel or damage to a secondary organ system. It is not possible in the realms of one chapter to describe in detail all of the variants of congenital GI tract abnormalities that may be encountered and the precise nature of the treatment options available. Therefore, what follows is an overview of the most common conditions encountered and those which require intervention as a matter of urgency. For ease of understanding we commence with the upper GI tract and continue in a caudal direction.
