Stapled intestinal anastomoses in infants

Background

We reviewed our experience with stapled intestinal anastomoses in infants younger than 1 year and compared operative data and outcome to that of infants who underwent hand-sewn anastomoses.

Methods

Infants younger than 1 year who underwent an intestinal anastomosis over an 8-year period were identified. Stapled anastomoses were constructed in a side-to-side fashion using standard or endoscopic linear cutters. Outcome variables including operative time, anastomotic failure, and death were recorded.

Results

Two hundred ninety-five subjects were identified. Hand-sewn anastomoses were performed in 189 cases and stapled anastomoses in 106. Patients who had a stapled anastomosis were older (105 vs 44 days) and larger (5.2 vs 3.1 kg), although 25 stapled anastomoses were performed in infants between 600 and 1000 g. When a stapled anastomosis was used operative time was significantly reduced overall (102 vs 128 minutes) and for individual procedures including resection for necrotizing enterocolitis (85 vs 132 minutes) and colostomy closure (104 vs 141 minutes). There was no difference between hand-sewn and stapled anastomoses in the incidence of adhesive obstruction, stricture, or leak.

Conclusions

When permitted by intestinal size in infants younger than 1 year, stapled anastomoses were safe and effective and significantly reduced operative time.     

Stapled versus hand-sewn pediatric intestinal anastomoses: A retrospective cohort study

Background

Whereas the adult literature has demonstrated the acceptable safety profile of stapled anastomoses when compared to the hand-sewn alternative, the choice of intestinal anastomosis using sutures or staples remains inadequately investigated in children. The purpose of this study is to compare the anastomotic outcomes of both techniques in children under 5 years of age.

Experience performing 64 consecutive stapled intestinal anastomoses in small children and infants

Background/Purpose

Intestinal anastomosis in children has traditionally been performed using hand-sewn techniques. Little data exist evaluating the efficacy of stapled intestinal anastomoses in the infant and pediatric populations.

Methods

A review of a 5-year experience using a mechanical stapler to treat 64 consecutive children requiring intestinal anastomoses was performed. An intestinal stapler was used to complete a side-to-side functional end-to-end anastomosis. Postoperative outcomes and modifications made to the technique were identified.

Results

Since 2004, 64 children (median age, 3 months; range, newborn to 24 months) underwent procedures requiring intestinal anastomosis. Twenty-six children (41%) were 1 week or less in age. Twenty-seven children (42%) underwent a stoma closure using a stapler. Thirty-seven children (58%) underwent bowel resection and stapled anastomosis in treating a variety of surgical disorders. Complications included wound infection (n = 2) and anastomotic stricture (n = 1). No issues suggesting anastomotic dilatation and subsequent stasis/overgrowth were identified.

Conclusions

These results suggest that stapled bowel anastomosis is an effective approach applicable to a variety of surgical diseases in newborns and infants.     

Stapled intestinal anastomoses are more cost effective than hand-sewn anastomoses in a diagnosis related group system

PurposeCreation of an optimal bowel anastomosis with low postoperative leakage rate is an immanent part of colorectal surgery contributing to recovery, length of hospital stay and overall hospital costs. We aimed to investigate costs of small and large bowel resection, length of hospital stay, anastomotic leakage rate and its risk factors depending on the anastomotic technique.MethodsRetrospective analysis of 198 patients (67 stapled and 131 hand-sewn anastomoses) undergoing elective bowel resection with a single anastomosis without protective ileostomy either stapled or in double-rowed running suture technique between 1st October 2012 and 30th September 2018 at Charité University Hospital Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin. We analyzed costs of treatment, total length of hospital stay, rate of anastomotic leakage and possible risk factors for anastomotic leak.ResultsNo significant difference between both anastomotic techniques could be detected for hospital stay (p = 0.754), 30-day-readmission rate (p = 0.827), or anastomotic leakage (p = 606). Neither comorbidities (p = 0.449), underlying disease (p = 0.132), experience of the surgical team (p = 0.828) nor scheduling of the operation (p = 0.531) were associated with anastomotic leakage. Stapled anastomoses took 22 min less operation time than sutured anastomoses (130 vs. 152 min. Median) (p = 0.001). Operations with stapled anastomoses saved 183 € in operation costs and 496 € in overall hospital costs.ConclusionStapled and hand-sewn bowel anastomoses can be performed equally safe without differences in postoperative outcome. No patient, procedure or surgeon related risk factors for anastomotic leakage could be detected. Bowel resections with stapled anastomoses take less time and save operation and overall hospital costs.     

Stapled Versus Hand-Sewn Anastomoses in Emergency Intestinal Surgery: Results of a Prospective Randomized Study

Purpose Sutured and stapled intestinal anastomoses are perceived to be equally safe in elective intestinal surgery. However, our search of the literature failed to find any studies comparing hand-sewn and mechanical anastomoses in emergency intestinal surgery. Thus, we compared the short-term outcomes of patients with sutured as opposed to stapled anastomoses in emergency intestinal surgery.Methods Between 1995 and 2001, 201 patients underwent emergency intestinal operations at the Department of Emergency Surgery of SantOrsola-Malpighi University Hospital. The outcomes of patients with sutured and stapled anastomoses were compared in a prospective analysis. Patients were randomly divided into a stapled group (106 anastomoses) with anastomoses made using linear and circular staplers, and a hand-sewn group (95 anastomoses) with anastomoses made by double-layer suturing.Results There were no significant differences between the groups in operative indications or other parameters. The operation times in the stapled group were significantly shorter than those in the hand-sewn group (P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in anastomotic leak rates, morbidity, or postoperative mortality between the two groups.Conclusions In emergency intestinal surgery comparable results can be achieved using mechanical and manual anastomoses.     

Mineral excretion following furosemide compared with bumetanide therapy in premature infants

Mineral excretion following single doses of furosemide were compared with bumetanide in a random cross-over trial in 17 premature infants. The mean birth-weight and gestational age were 889±85 g and 27±2 weeks. Following furosemide therapy, significantly higher chloride losses and urine volumes were noted in the first 8-h period compared with the second or third 8-h periods. Following bumetanide therapy, sodium, calcium, and chloride losses and urine volumes were significantly higher in the first 8 h compared with the second or third 8-h periods. Hourly sodium and chloride losses were significantly lower following bumetanide than furosemide during the first two 8-h periods. During the final 8-h period sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium losses were significantly lower following bumetanide than following furosemide. Sodium loss per urine volume was lower with bumetanide than furosemide but calcium loss tended to be higher. Hence, bumetanide does not appear to be a calciumsparing diuretic following single-dose therapy.     

A Randomized Study Comparing Outcomes of Stapled and Hand-Sutured Anastomoses in Patients Undergoing Open Gastrointestinal Surgery

Although stapling is an alternative to hand-suturing in gastrointestinal surgery, recent trials specifically designed to evaluate differences between the two in surgery time, anastomosis time, and return to bowel activity are lacking. This trial compared the outcomes of the two in subjects undergoing open gastrointestinal surgery. Adult subjects undergoing emergency or elective surgery requiring a single gastric, small, or large bowel anastomosis were enrolled into this open-label, prospective, randomized, interventional, parallel, multicenter, controlled trial. Randomization was assigned in a 1:1 ratio between the hand-sutured group (n = 138) and the stapled group (n = 142). Anastomosis time, surgery time, and time to bowel activity were collected and compared as primary endpoints. A total of 280 subjects were enrolled from April 2009 to September 2010. Only the time of anastomosis was significantly different between the two arms: 17.6 ± 1.90 min (stapled) and 20.6 ± 1.90 min (hand-sutured). This difference was deemed not clinically or economically meaningful. Safety outcomes and other secondary endpoints were similar between the two arms. Mechanical stapling is faster than hand-suturing for the construction of gastrointestinal anastomoses. Apart from this, stapling and hand-suturing are similar with respect to the outcomes measured in this trial.     

Totally laparoscopic gastrectomy with various types of intracorporeal anastomosis using laparoscopic linear staplers: preliminary experience

Background We analyzed our preliminary clinical data for totally laparoscopic gastrectomy (TLG) in order to evaluate its effectiveness in terms of minimal invasiveness, technical feasibility, and safety. Methods Forty-five consecutive patients who underwent TLG in our institution between June 2004 and February 2006 were enrolled in this study. There were 26 men and 19 women, with a mean age of 58.8 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 23.2. In all cases, only laparoscopic linear staplers were used for intracorporeal anastomosis. Results The reasons that gastrectomy was performed were adenocarcinoma in 41 cases, benign disease in three cases and gastrointestinal stromal tumor in one case, and the types of surgery were distal gastrectomy (40), total gastrectomy (four) and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (one). Among the distal gastrectomies, Billroth I (25) was the most frequent procedure, followed by uncut Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy (14) and Billroth II (one), respectively. The mean operation time was 314 minutes, the mean anastomotic time was 41 minutes, the mean number of staples used was eight, and the mean estimated blood loss was 150 ml. There was no case of conversion to an open procedure. The first flatus was observed at 2.9 days, and liquid diet was started at 3.7 days. The mean number of postoperative analgesic use, except for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), was 1.4 times, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 11 days. Postoperative complication occurred in six patients (13.3 %), but no postoperative mortality occurred. There were two cases of delayed gastric empting and one case of anastomotic leakage, anastomotic stenosis, intraabdominal bleeding, and ventral hernia each. All of the patients recovered well with conservative or surgical management. Conclusions TLG with intracorporeal anastomosis using laparoscopic linear staplers was safe and feasible, and we were able to obtain acceptable surgical outcomes in terms of minimal invasiveness.     

88例早产儿动脉导管未闭的临床分析

目的 对动脉导管未闭(PDA)早产儿的临床资料进行回顾性分析，寻找和确定更适当的治疗方法。方法 88例PDA早产儿中采用消炎痛治疗59例，直接行外科手术结扎29例，对其治疗方法、出生时体重和死亡情况进行比较分析。结果 消炎痛治疗失败率为44．1％，尤其在体重小于l500g的早产儿中偏高(83．3％)，其并发症、呼吸窘迫综合征，死亡例数均较体重大于l500g的早产儿多，机械辅助呼吸时间和住ICU时间等均较长(P＜0．05)。手术患者无与麻醉或手术相关的并发症和死亡。结论 PDA早产儿的治疗应考虑以动脉导管结扎术作为首选治疗方法。     

A new technique for intestinal isoperistaltic anastomosis utilizing a linear stapler for enlargement after anastomosis performed with a circular stapler

Background The high incidence of anastomotic stenosis after gastrointestinal surgery using circular staplers is a major problem. In response, we have developed a new technique that uses a linear stapler to enlarge an anastomotic opening made using a circular stapler. Methods Anastomoses were created by the new technique or by the conventional approach using a circular stapler in pig small intestine. The method was also applied in treatment of a colon cancer patient. Results The area of the anastomotic opening obtained with the new technique was more than 3 times that in the control (p < 0.001), with no significant difference between the methods in a leak test. Follow-up of the patient undergoing surgery with this approach revealed an uneventful course with a widely patent anastomosis confirmed after 3 months. Conclusions This procedure provides a larger anastomotic opening than conventional anastomosis with circular staplers, without impairing the integrity of the anastomosis.     

早产儿平稳气管插管时七氟醚的最低肺泡有效浓度

目的探讨早产儿气管插管无体动反应时的七氟醚最低肺泡有效浓度(MACEI)。方法选择择期吸入全麻下行眼科手术的早产儿27例,矫正胎龄37周,ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级。吸入6%七氟醚进行全麻诱导,至患儿意识消失后,将呼气末七氟醚浓度调整至预定值,维持15min,然后行气管插管。根据序贯法进行研究,初始呼气末七氟醚浓度为3.0%,如气管插管时发生体动反应,下一例升高一个浓度梯度,如气管插管时未发生体动反应,下一例降低一个浓度梯度,相邻浓度梯度为0.2%。将无体动反应时呼气末七氟醚浓度到体动反应时呼气末七氟醚浓度的中点设为一个平衡点,计算所有平衡点七氟醚浓度的平均值即为MACEI。结果患儿气管插管无体动反应的七氟醚MACEI为2.55%±0.20%,MAC95是2.81%(95%CI 2.67%~3.58%)。结论早产儿平稳气管插管的七氟醚MACEI为2.55%,低于足月产儿的参考值。     

早产儿宫内感染性肺炎和支气管肺发育不良发生的高危因素

目的探讨早产儿宫内感染性肺炎和支气管肺发育不良（BPD）发生的危险因素。 方法收集2013年1月至2018年11月惠州市第六人民医院收治的宫内感染性肺炎早产儿600例为宫内感染性肺炎组,另选取同期无宫内感染性肺炎的早产儿600例为单纯早产组;比较两组早产儿的性别、宫内窘迫、胎膜早破> 24 h、羊水污染、第2产程延长、母孕晚期发热史、剖宫产、胎龄、出生体质量以及1 min阿氏评分（Apgar）,并行多因素Logistic回归分析。收集2016年1月至2018年12月本院收治的BPD早产儿60例为BPD组,另取同期无BPD早产儿60例为非BPD组;比较两组早产儿的性别、宫内窘迫、肺出血、巨细胞病毒感染、有创机械通气治疗、出生2周内输注红细胞、宫内感染、胎龄、出生体质量以及1 min Apgar评分,并行多因素Logistic回归分析。 结果宫内感染性肺炎组早产儿宫内窘迫[224（37.33%） vs. 78（13.00%）]、胎膜早破> 24 h [308（51.33%） vs. 99（16.50%）]、母孕晚期发热史[117（19.50%） vs. 54（9.00%）]和BPD [133（22.17%） vs. 35（5.83%）]比例均显著高于单纯早产儿组,差异均有统计学意义（χ² = 94.320、162.408、27.068、66.473,P均< 0.001）;而1 min Apgar评分[（7.08 ± 1.32）分]显著低于单纯早产组[（8.65 ± 1.41）分],差异有统计学意义（t = 19.911、P < 0.001）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示：宫内窘迫、胎膜早破> 24 h、母孕晚期发热史均为早产儿宫内感染性肺炎的独立危险因素（OR = 3.824、4.017、3.492,P = 0.001、0.008、0.015）。BPD组早产儿宫内窘迫[12（20.00%） vs. 3（5.00%）]、肺出血[10（16.67%） vs. 0（0.00%）]、巨细胞病毒感染[5（8.33%） vs. 0（0.00%）]、有创机械通气治疗[46（76.67%） vs. 2（3.33%）]、出生2周内输注红细胞[51（85.00%） vs. 2（3.33%）]、宫内感染[23（38.33%） vs. 6（10.00%）]比例均显著高于非BPD组,差异均有统计学意义（χ² = 6.171、10.909、5.217、67.222、81.138、13.141,P = 0.013、0.001、0.022、< 0.001、< 0.001、< 0.001）;而胎龄[（32.14 ± 1.20）周vs. （34.35 ± 2.74）周]、出生体质量[（1 352.39 ± 209.57）g vs. （2 285.56 ± 356.82）g]、1 min Apgar评分[（7.23 ± 1.36）分vs. （8.68 ± 1.75）分]显著低于非BPD组,差异均有统计学意义（t = 5.723、17.468、5.068,P均< 0.001）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示：巨细胞病毒感染、有创机械通气治疗、出生2周内输注红细胞、胎龄、出生体质量均为早产儿发生BPD的独立危险因素（OR = 44.357、3.082、3.290、4.738、3.409,P < 0.001、0.003、0.002、< 0.001、0.009）。 结论宫内窘迫、胎膜早破> 24 h、母孕晚期发热史可能增加早产儿宫内感染性肺炎发生的风险,而巨细胞病毒感染、有创机械通气治疗、出生2周内输注红细胞、胎龄、出生体质量可能影响BPD发生率。     

Congenital multiple intestinal atresia successfully treated with multiple anastomoses in a premature neonate: Report of a case

We report herein the case of a 2080-g premature male infant born at 34 weeks' gestation with multiple intestinal atresia, for whom multiple anastomoses were successfully performed. A total of 11 atresias were found in the small bowel, and five anastomoses were performed to preserve 59cm of small bowel and the ileocecal valve. Postoperatively, he developed several episodes of sepsis caused by persistent enterostasis, but was able to be weaned from total parenteral nutrition (TPN) by postoperative day (POD) 106. Thus, multiple anastomoses may be the appropriate procedure to prevent short-gut syndrome for congenital multiple intestinal atresia, even in premature infants.     

Hand-Sewn Versus Stapled Esophagogastric Anastomosis in the Neck: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

The application of cervical esophagogastric anastomoses was of great concern. However, between circular stapler (CS) and hand-sewn (HS) methods with anastomosis in the neck, which one has better postoperative effects still puzzles surgeons. This study aims to systematically evaluate the effectiveness, security, practicality, and applicability of CS compared with the HS method for the esophagogastric anastomosis after esophageal resection. A systematic literature search, as well as other additional resources, was performed which was completed in January 2013. The relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the surgical technique for esophageal resection were included. Trial data was reviewed and extracted independently by two reviewers. The quality of the included studies was assessed by the recommended standards basing on Cochrane handbook 5.1.0, and the data was analyzed via RevMan 5 software (version 5.2.0). Nine studies with 870 patients were included. The results showed that in comparing HS to CS methods with cervical anastomosis, no significant differences were found in the risk of developing anastomotic leakages (relative risk (RR) = 1.30, 95 % confidence intervals (CI) 0.87–1.92, p = 0.20), as well as the anastomosis stricture (RR = 0.97, 95 % CI 0.47–1.99, p = 0.93), postoperative mortality (RR = 0.83, 95 % CI 0.43–1.58, p = 0.57), blood loss (mean difference (MD) = 39.68; 95 % CI −6.97, 86.33; p = 0.10) and operative time (MD = 18.05; 95 % CI −3.22, 39.33; p = 0.10). However, the results also illustrated that the CS methods with cervical anastomosis might be less time-consuming and have shorter hospital stay and higher costs. Based upon this meta-analysis, there were no differences in the postoperative outcomes between HS and CS techniques. And the ideal technique of cervical esophagogastric anastomosis following esophagectomy remains under controversy.     

The use of cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive in high-risk intestinal anastomoses

The success of every intestinal surgical procedure primarily depends on correct technical execution of the intestinal sutures. Despite the continuing improvements in intestinal synthesis techniques and the introduction of mechanical staplers, the risk of anastomotic dehiscence remains a major concern. For high-risk anastomoses, defined as those performed under critical conditions, n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive allows for quick sealing of the two stumps and supports the physiological wound-healing process. Furthermore, no experimental or clinical studies have shown that this glue has any carcinogenic or mutagenic properties. Thus, we believe that n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate will be extremely useful for intestinal anastomoses with a high risk of dehiscence.     

Serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations in premature infants: Preliminary results

Summary Serum 1,25(OH)₂D concentrations were measured in serial serum samples from 19 premature infants of 29.6±1.3 weeks gestation and 1,129±159 g birthweight. 1,25(OH)₂D was always normal or elevated and mean concentrations increased with age (adult, 55.2±13; infants, 1–2 weeks, 81.5±37.7 pg/mg; 3 weeks, 65±21; 6 weeks, 90.0±17.3; 9 weeks, 99.0±25.1; 12 weeks, 103.3±26.6 pg/ml). No correlation was seen with 25-OHD. Infants given 800 IU D₂ supplements had lower 1,25(OH)₂D levels than infants given 400 IU D₂. Breast fed infants had initially higher 1,25(OH)₂D levels; however, this was not sustained. These preliminary data suggest that premature infants regulate 1,25(OH)₂D production similar to more mature infants and children. Whether the premature infant has a normal gastrointestinal and/or bone responsiveness to 1,25(OH)₂D and whether these elevated 1,25(OH)₂D concentrations are “adequately elevated” requires further study. NIH Grant 2R01HD-09998-06.     

吻合器痔环切术治疗环状脱垂性内痔吻合口部位选择的临床价值

目的 通过对痔吻合器环切术吻合口与齿线间距离变化所对应的各个临床指标变化的比较分析,研究吻合口与齿线间距离选择在Ⅲ～Ⅳ度环状脱垂性内痔临床治疗上的意义. 方法对106例Ⅲ～Ⅳ度环状脱垂性内痔患者行吻合器痔环切术,术中测定吻合口与齿线间距离,术后对各患者各项临床指标(包括排便失禁评分、术后疼痛评分、出血、肛缘水肿、残留皮赘等局部并发症以及满意度)进行统计,研究分析吻合口齿线间距离对临床指标的影响,探讨吻合口齿线间距离的选择在吻合器痔环切术治疗中的意义. 结果根据测得的吻合口与齿线间距离将106例患者分成4组,其中吻合口与齿线间距离小于1.0 cm为A组,有20例,在1.0～1.5 cm间为B组,有40例,在1.5～2.0 cm间为c组,有37例,距离大于2.0 cm为D组,有9例.4组在术后Wexner肛门失禁评分、肛门出血评分、肛门局部并发症评分、满意度评分上无差别,在术后疼痛评分4组之间有显著差异,A组术后早期的疼痛较其余3组明显. 结论应用吻合器痔环切术治疗Ⅲ～Ⅳ度环状脱垂性内痔时,针对痔不同的脱垂程度选择适宜的吻合口部位,临床治疗效果良好.     

Determination of reference values for plasma cystatin C and comparison with creatinine in premature infants

Cystatin C (CysC) is a low-molecular-mass protein (13,343 dalton, 120 amino acids) belonging to the cystatin superfamily of reversible inhibitors of cysteine proteases. CysC appears to be eliminated from the circulation almost exclusively by glomerular filtration, which makes it a promising endogenous marker of renal function. CysC has been demonstrated to reflect glomerular filtration rate better than other low-molecular-weight proteins, including creatinine (Cr). We established reference values for serum CysC and compared them with Cr in 108 preterm infants by particle-enhanced nephelometric immunoassay. On the first day, serum CysC values ranged from 1.25 to 2.84 mg/L, significantly decreasing after 3 days of life. Cr levels determined simultaneously on the first day ranged from 0.05 to 1.12 mg/dl and were also significantly different from day 3 levels. Both CysC and Cr levels were independent of gender, birth weight, hemoglobin levels, and hydration state. Cr correlated negatively with gestational age (r = −0.25, p = 0.009), but not CysC. A significant correlation was found between CysC and Cr on day 1 (r = 0.21, p = 0.031), but no correlation was found according to day 3 blood samples (r = 0.19, p = 0.053). CysC is regarded as an alternative for assessing renal function in preterm neonates, but its advantages over Cr are not yet proven.     

双直线切缝器进行肠吻合的临床应用体会

目的 通过与管状吻合器(EEA)肠吻合进行比较,分析双直线切缝器(DGIA)进行肠吻合的临床应用价值.方法 选择2006年1月至2008年6月肠吻合患者109例,按随机化原则分成EEA(n=47)和DGIA(n=62)肠吻合组.比较两组间手术时间、吻合时间、肠功能恢复时间、禁食时间、住院时间、住院费用和并发症的差异.结果 EEA组的下列指标明显高于DGIA组:手术时间[(170.4±61.9) min vs (127.7±38.0)min,P=0.011]、吻合时间[(28.8±8.1)min vs (9.6±3.9)min,P=0.000],肠功能恢复时间[(71.7±60.3)h vs (42.3±38.6)h,P=0.001]、禁食时间[(87.1±52.9)h vs (79.3±46.6)h,P=0.000],住院时间[(15.0±7.5)d vs (10.6±5.4)d,P=0.003],住院费用[(21614.3±13869.2)元 vs (15795.4±10221.9)元,P=0.031];两组间并发症差异无统计学意义(4/27 vs 3/32,P=0.692).结论 DGIA肠吻合手术应用于临床安全、经济,疗效优于EEA肠吻合手术,且符合现代外科的发展方向.     

Interleukin-8 predicts 60-day mortality in premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictiveness of circulating interleukin (IL)-8 for 60-day mortality in premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

Background

NEC affects up to 5% of premature infants and remains a leading cause of mortality among neonates.

Methods

A total of 113 infants with surgically (n = 50) or medically (n = 63) treated NEC were retrospectively analyzed. Laboratory parameters including serum IL-8 were assessed at the diagnosis of NEC and during the preoperative workup.

Results

The 60-day mortality was 19% (22/113), 10% (6/63) in medical and 33% (16/50) in surgical NEC. IL-8 levels significantly correlated with 60-day mortality (odds ratio: 1.38; CI 1.14–1.67; p = 0.001). Median IL-8 levels at diagnosis were significantly higher in neonates who were later treated surgically (median = 2625 pg/ml; range: 27–7500) compared with those treated medically (median = 156 pg/ml; range: 5–7500; p < 0.001). The AUC to discriminate between medical and surgical NEC was 0.82 (CI, 0.74–0.90), and an exploratory IL-8 cutoff point could be established at 1783 pg/ml (sensitivity of 90.5%; specificity of 59.2%).

Conclusions

Our findings that serum IL-8 (i) correlates directly with 60-day mortality and (ii) differs significantly between medically and surgically treated infants may change the process of therapeutic decision making in NEC.