Prospective application of an index of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.

Fifty-five patients were scored 1 to 3 according to the criteria: the character of stools, abdominal findings on palpation, x-ray evidence of pneumatosis intestinalis, the development of pulmonary insufficiency, and the duration of symptoms to positive x-rays. Fifteen patients with scores of less than five were considered to have subclinical NEC with one late death. Twenty-nine of 30 patients with scores of 5-10 responded to medical management with 2 deaths related to recurrent bouts of sepsis without recurrent NEC. Eleven patients required surgery with index scores of 10-14 with 6 deaths occurring uniformly in those patients with scores of 12 or more. Two patients were scored inappropriately low due to the lack of the passage of a stool for analysis. One patient with a score of 4 did not pass a stool but had the other diagnostic criteria for the single false negative of the series. This index correctly determined the severity of NEC of 53 of 55 patients, identified the patients who required surgical intervention and predicted survival.     

Intestinal stenting in preterm, very-low-birth-weight infants with necrotizing enterocolitis and multiple perforations

We present 2 cases of necrotizing enterocolitis with multiple intestinal perforations or areas of segmental bowel necrosis in preterm, very-low-birth-weight infants. We reviewed their charts and researched the related literature. We used SILASTIC (Silmag, Argentina) intestinal stents to avoid multiple formal bowel anastomosis or stomas and longer resections, and to reduce operative time. In the first case, we externalized the stent through the first and last perforation; and in the second, through a proximal jejunostomy and the orifice left after an appendectomy. This method was useful in avoiding short bowel syndrome in both infants, and they were discharged successfully. They are currently 31/2 and 2 years old, respectively, eating without any restriction and with mild developmental delays. Treatment of preterm infants with multiple bowel perforations or areas of bowel necrosis requires a maximal effort to preserve as much intestinal length as possible. Use of the SILASTIC stent technique provides a good treatment variant in selected cases to preserve bowel length, reduce operative time, and avoid short bowel syndrome.     

Peritoneal drainage for necrotizing enterocolitis

This study evaluates the role of primary peritoneal drainage (PPD) in the management of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Of 169 patients with definite NEC, 92 (55%) underwent operation: primary laparotomy, 41 patients (45%); and PPD, 51 patients (55%). Seventeen (33%) of the PPD infants had subsequent laparotomy within seven days. Pneumoperitoneum was the indication for operation in 37% of the primary laparotomy and 67% of the PPD infants. Following PPD, 34 patients (67%) showed clinical improvement. Operative survivals were as follows: primary laparotomy, 83%; PPD, 53%. Infants who had PPD had a significantly lower mean birth weight, gestational age, preoperative pH and platelet count, and a significantly higher incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage and patent ductus arteriosus. For infants weighing less than 1,000 g at birth, the survival was similar following primary laparotomy (57%) and PPD (52%); this occurred in spite of the higher incidence of adverse risk factors in the PPD infants. For infants weighing greater than 1,000 g, the survival was 86% following primary laparotomy and 62% after PPD; in this group, all the early deaths following PPD occurred in critically ill infants who died within 48 hours of drainage. The late survival rates were as follows: primary laparotomy, 76%; PPD, 35%. More than half of the late deaths following PPD were not related to NEC, reflecting the difference between the two patient populations. Primary peritoneal drainage is a useful adjunct to resuscitation of the critically ill infant with complicated NEC, particularly prematures less than 1,000 g birth weight with intestinal perforation. Primary peritoneal drainage is not an alternative to laparotomy, which is recommended when an optimal clinical response has been achieved.     

Prediction of outcome following necrotizing enterocolitis in a neonatal surgical unit

Retrospective analysis of 27 factors in 80 neonates with necrotizing enterocolitis has enabled us to identify three factors that appear to be of prognostic statistical significance, namely blood pH, platelet count, and the presence of congenital defects. All three factors may be assessed objectively at the time of admission of the patient. Using these factors we have estimated a "probability of death" score for each patient and a high-risk group of neonates has been identified.     

Necrotizing fasciitis: a rare complication of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly spreading soft tissue infection affecting the subcutaneous tissue and underlying fascial layers. Although this infection pattern is commonly seen in adults, it is rarely seen in the neonatal population. Herein, we describe a patient who developed extensive necrotizing fasciitis of the abdominal wall after intestinal resection for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).     

Epidemiologic and bacteriologic evaluation of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.

The incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in our neonatal unit has varied from 4.7% to zero to 4.4% during three time periods. Simultaneously, significant changes have occurred in the spectrum of bacterial species in the gastrointestinal tract of unaffected infants in the same unit. During the first period of increased attack rate, 82% of gastric and 88% of fecal Enterobacteriaceae were E. coli and K. pneumoniae. When the attack rate decreased the frequencies were 11% (gastric) and 47% (fecal), and P. mirabilis was retrieved with increased frequency. The return of E. coli and K. pneumoniae as the dominant organisms was associated with an increase in NEC. Infants with NEC, compared with controls, had a statistically significant increased frequency of retrieval of E. coli and K. pneumoniae from gastric and fecal samplings. The data suggest an active role for certain enteric bacteria in the pathogenesis of NEC.     

The role of diagnostic laparoscopy in micropremmies with suspected necrotizing enterocolitis

Abstract Background The timely diagnosis of perforations or dead gut can be extremely difficult in micropremmies with necrotizing enterocolitis. A negative laparotomy is just as detrimental as failure to recognize early perforation in this group of patients. We have been exploring the role of microlaparoscopy using a needlescope to determine if this modality is feasible and useful in the surgical management of these patients. We report our technique and initial experience with needlescopic diagnosis. Methods Four patients (weight >500 to <1000 g) with abdominal distension and clinical sepsis not responsive to aggressive medical treatment were included in this study. None had radiologic evidence of pneumatosis or perforation. There was no absolute surgical indication for laparotomy except for strong suspicion of a surgical cause. Needlescopic diagnosis was performed in all these patients. Results There was no evidence of perforation or bile in the abdominal cavity in one patient. This patient improved on medical management, avoiding a laparotomy. The rest had bile or fibrin in the abdominal fluid with a localized perforation, and in each case we performed a microlaparotomy directly over the site of perforation to create a stoma. Conclusions Needlescopic diagnosis is feasible and appears to be safe, even in critically ill micropremmies less than 1000 g. The technique can provide useful information for surgical decision-making and allows for precise placement of a microlaparotomy incision over the site of perforation, thus minimizing the trauma from open surgery in this special group of patients. We are currently expanding its role in patients with overt perforations to determine if we can limit the extent of surgical exploration without compromising the adequacy of surgical management.     

The timing of enterostomy reversal after necrotizing enterocolitis

Background/Purpose

Newborns undergoing surgery for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) often require a stoma. The study purpose is to determine if the timing of stoma closure impacts the postoperative course.

Methods

After obtaining institutional review board approval, records of patients with NEC who received a stoma between 2003 and 2007 at 2 pediatric institutions were reviewed. Data collected included time interval between stoma creation and closure, indication for closure, postoperative complications, time to feeds, and length of neonatal intensive care unit and hospital stays. For analysis purposes, patients were divided in 2 groups: 1, stoma closed within 10 weeks; and 2, stoma closed more than 10 weeks after construction.

Results

There were 37 patients: 13 in group 1 and 24 in group 2. Group 1 babies were ventilated longer postoperation (7.69 vs 1.08 days, P = .0006). They required total parenteral nutrition for more days (51.62 vs 16.30 days, P = .0486). Group 1 patients took longer to reach full po (19.08 vs 7.86 days, P = .027), and they had a longer length of stay postreversal (113.08 vs 31.32 days, P = .0373). No differences were observed in survival rates or anastomotic complications.

Conclusion

The timing of stoma reversal significantly impacts the postoperative course after NEC. Unless seriously indicated, stoma closure should be deferred until at least 10 weeks postcreation.     

Probiotics and the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis

Background

Immaturity of the host immune system and alterations in the intestinal microbiome appear to be key factors in the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The aim of this paper is to weigh the evidence for the use of probiotics to prevent NEC in premature infants.

Routine contrast enemas for diagnosing and managing strictures following nonoperative treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis

A study to determine the value of contrast enemas in diagnosing and managing intestinal strictures following nonoperative treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis was performed from 1978 through 1983. From 1974 through 1977, 17 patients survived nonoperative treatment of NEC and three developed symptomatic strictures, an incidence of 18% (3/17). Since then a total of 31 infants were treated for NEC; three patients survived operation for perforation and there were seven deaths, leaving 21 in the study group. Sixteen patients had contrast enemas three to six weeks after resolution of NEC, which revealed strictures in five patients. Four of the five patients with strictures demonstrated on contrast enema were without obstructive symptoms. Three of the four remained asymptomatic without treatment, and one eventually required surgery for intestinal obstruction. The fifth patient developed intestinal obstruction while still in the nursery and a contrast study demonstrated an ileal stricture. A sixth patient had a normal contrast study and developed intestinal obstruction from an ileal stricture. The incidence of strictures was 38% (6/16). In five patients, appointments for contrast studies were not kept, although clinical follow-up was complete in all. The incidence of symptomatic strictures for the contrast study period was therefore 14% (3/21). Although some authors have recommended routine contrast enemas in patients surviving nonoperative treatment of NEC, contrast enemas had no advantage over clinical follow-up in the management of patients in this study. We have discontinued the use of routine contrast enemas in favor of close follow-up and careful instruction to parents as to the early signs of intestinal obstruction.     

Inter-rater agreement in the evaluation of abdominal radiographs for necrotizing enterocolitis

Purpose

Abdominal radiographs are frequently employed in the surveillance of patients with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), with typical findings well described. Clinicians interpret and act upon these films at different intervals, however, and inter-rater agreement has not been evaluated to date.

Methods

Thirty abdominal radiographs of premature infants were distributed to attending radiologists (4), pediatric surgeons (4), and trainees (4), who evaluated for findings of NEC from a list of eight potential choices (1 = normal, 8 = perforation). Fleiss’s Kappa (FK) was used to evaluate concordance between multiple raters with 0–0.2 = slight association and 0.8–1 = almost perfect agreement.

Results

Practicing surgeons had an FK of 0.77 overall (95% CI: 0.67–0.87), but demonstrated poor agreement when evaluating decubitus films (FK: 0.39, 95% CI:0.12–0.65). Radiologists had excellent inter-rater agreement (FK: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.74–0.88), but had only modest agreement with surgeons (FK: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.56–0.63) and poor agreement for decubitus films (FK: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.47–0.26). Surgical and radiology trainees had fair agreement with their respective attendings (0.60, 95% CI: 0.55–0.65 and 0.64, 95% CI: 0.60–0.69, respectively).

Conclusions

While inter-rater agreement was good–excellent among attending staff, it was only moderate between radiologists and surgeons and between trainees and their attendings. This highlights the importance of inter-disciplinary and hierarchical communication to optimize clinical decision-making. Decubitus films may be of limited value in evaluating patients with NEC.     

Early detection of necrotizing enterocolitis using broadband optical spectroscopy

Purpose

The definitive diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is typically at an advanced stage, indicating the need for sensitive and noninvasive diagnostic modalities. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been utilized to noninvasively measure intraabdominal tissue oxygenation and to diagnose NEC, but specificity is lacking, in part because sensors are limited to a narrow band of the electromagnetic spectrum. Here, we introduce the concept of broadband optical spectroscopy (BOS) as a noninvasive method to characterize NEC.

A 13-year experience with peritoneal drainage under local anesthesia for necrotizing enterocolitis perforation

Between 1974 and 1986, inclusive, over 400 newborns with clinical, radiological, and/or pathological evidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) were treated at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario. Within this group were 37 babies who had a bowel perforation that was treated with peritoneal drainage under local anesthesia. Eighty-eight percent of the 41 weighed less than 1,500 g and 65% weighed less than 1,000 g; during the same time 40 other neonates (9% of the total) with perforated NEC had laparotomies. Twelve neonates (32%) required only drainage with complete recovery of their intestinal tracts. The remaining 25 (68%) fell into one of three groups: (1) nine (24%) had rapid downhill course, sepsis, and death without laparotomy; (2) nine (24%) had rapid downhill course, sepsis, and laparotomy (five deaths); (3) seven (20%) had slow development of bowel obstruction requiring operation (two deaths). The overall survival rate was 56%. These results continue to indicate that this method is effective in temporizing 88% of the small and/or very ill babies with a NEC perforation. However, an added bonus is that 32% of these newborns treated in this fashion had complete resolution of their disease.