[Necrotizing entercolitis and intestinal perforation in very low weight premature infants: which is the best surgical option?].

Abstract Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and isolated intestinal perforation (IP) are common diseases in very low birth weight infants (VLBW) and require surgery in 20-40% of cases. We have performed a retrospective review of VLBW infants with NEC or IP who underwent a surgical procedure between 2000 and 2010, either initial laparotomy (group 1), peritoneal drain placement and subsequent laparotomy (group 2) or peritoneal drainage (group 3). Of 487 VLBW infants admitted to our hospital in the last ten years, 80 patients had NEC or IP, out of these, 31% (n=25) were treated surgically. The study population consisted of 14 girls and 11 boys with a mean gestational age of 26+3 weeks and mean birth weight of 801.4 g (range 460 to 1490 g). Pneumoperitoneum was seen in 48% of cases (n=12). Twelve patients underwent initial laparotomy, 10 patients were treated with peritoneal drainage and subsequent laparotomy and in 3 patients a peritoneal drainage was placed. Mean time between drainage and laparotomy was 69.6 hours. Sixty-eight percent of patients had NEC and thirty-two percent were IP. Survival rate was higher in the group who underwent initial laparotomy (p = 0.001) with an overall mortality of 32% (8 deaths). Optimal surgical procedure must be decided upon clinical condition of individual patients. We consider that initial laparotomy should be the treatment option in VLBW infants with intestinal perforation due to NEC or IP.