Resection and primary anastomosis is a valid surgical option for infants with necrotizing enterocolitis who weigh less than 1000 g.
OBJECTIVE
Primary anastomosis following intestinal resection is a valid surgical option in the treatment of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) who weigh less than 1000 g.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
Tertiary neonatal surgery referral center.


METHODS
All infants with confirmed NEC weighing less than 1000 g admitted to our intensive care unit over 4 years.


METHODS
For infants requiring laparotomy and intestinal resection, primary anastomosis was performed whenever the clinical condition permitted.


METHODS
Short- and long-term survival, length of intensive care unit stay, and complications.


RESULTS
Fifty-one infants with NEC who weighed less than 1000 g were admitted during the study period. Twelve infants underwent intestinal resection and primary anastomosis (median weight at surgery, 0.83 kg; range, 0.6-0.96 kg). One infant developed recurrent NEC, requiring further surgery, but there were no anastomotic leakages and no strictures. The median postoperative stay on our intensive care unit was 14 days (range, 2-49 days). All 12 infants survived their episode of acute NEC, and 8 are alive, with a median follow-up of 34.2 months (range, 4.7-48.4 months). Only 1 death was related to NEC. During the same period, 14 infants underwent intestinal resection and stoma formation. Ten survived the acute episode, and 6 are alive at a median follow-up of 24.0 months (range, 13.1-33.9 months). The median postoperative intensive care unit stay was 18 days (range, 2-74 days). Necrotizing enterocolitis-related complications occurred in 8 of these infants.


CONCLUSIONS
The outcome of infants with NEC who weigh less than 1000 g and undergo primary anastomosis is comparable to that of infants treated using alternative techniques. It is, therefore, a valid surgical option in selected infants. The mortality in this group of infants is high.
Hall
N J
NJ
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, England. n.hall@ich.ucl.ac.uk
Curry
J
J
Drake
D P
DP
Spitz
L
L
Kiely
E M
EM
Pierro
A
A
D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome