Long-term follow-up results of surgery for chronic pancreatitis

Authors evaluate the late results of 51 operated patients by decompression or resection procedure for chronic pancreatitis between 1990-94, based on a follow-up period of 86 months. Only 34% of the 47 investigated patients could be classified as "good" results group--it is the half part of the good results of their former study based on 20 months follow-up period. The incidence of late deaths was very high--27.6%. Eighty-five percent of all the lost patients (11 pts) died after the seventh postoperative year. The most threatened group seems to be the alcoholic and insulin-dependent diabetic patients. This combination was the cause of death in third part of the cases. IDDM developed altogether in 9 patients, on average 3.7 years after the operation, namely it was the consequence of the irreversible progressive natural history of disease. The rate of disability is 44%, and it is significantly higher in the resected group than after decompression, just like the late mortality rat. Based on their results authors emphasise that in chronic pancreatitis the short-term (20-36 months) follow-up results may be deceptive, real outcome of the surgical treatment could be expected only after 5 years postoperatively.     

Long-term follow-up of thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy for chronic pancreatitis pain

Background: Thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy (SPL) has been reported to give excellent short-term pain relief in chronic pancreatitis. This study prospectively evaluates the long-term efficacy of SPL in pancreatitis patients. Methods: Chronic pancreatitis patients with severe pain unrelieved by standard therapy completed a standard 10-point analogue pain scale prior to surgery and at postoperative visits. Midline and left-sided pain was treated with left SPL; right-sided pain was treated with right SPL. If pain recurred on the contralateral side, contralateral SPL was done. Results: Fifteen patients underwent SPL. Eleven of them required narcotics preoperatively. Follow-up is complete and ranges from 4.2 to 6.1 years (median, 5.75). All patients had constant pain prior to surgery. Following SPL, it decreased in the short term to a mean of 3.9 attacks a month. At long-term follow-up, the mean number of attacks was 8.6 per month. Preoperatively, the mean score for worst pain within the last 2 months was 9.1. This score decreased to 3.9, but at long-term follow-up it had increased to near preoperative values (8.6). Current severity of pain decreased from 7.2 preoperatively to 2.9 at short-term follow-up, but at long-term follow-up it had increased. The degree of disability decreased from 9.1 preoperatively to 5.1 at short-term follow-up, but in the long term it increased toward preoperative values. Although eight patients were narcotic free at early follow-up, only three remained narcotic free in the long-term. Conclusion: Thoracoscopic SPL offers short-term relief of pain from chronic pancreatitis, but the relief is not durable in most cases. Similarly, there are short-term improvements in degree of disability, mood, and freedom from narcotic use that are not sustained in the long-term. Nevertheless, two-thirds of patients stated that they would have the surgery again. apd: 11 May 2001     

Long-term follow-up of endoscopic stenting in patients with chronic pancreatitis secondary to pancreas divisum

BACKGROUND: Pancreas divisum is the most common anatomic variant of pancreatic development and may lead to pancreatitis. This study evaluated the efficacy of endoscopic stenting in patients with chronic pancreatitis due to pancreas divisum. METHODS: Between 1993 and 2005, 32 patients with chronic pancreatitis due to pancreas divisum were treated with endoscopic stenting. Each patient underwent an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to confirm the diagnosis of pancreas divisum prior to endoscopic stenting. A survey was conducted by telephone conversation to evaluate pain intensity, symptom relief, hospital admissions, quality of life and pain medication usage, which was verified by a statewide narcotic electronic database. Eight of the 32 patients were unavailable for the interview and were not included in the analysis of the study. Results are expressed as mean +/- standard error of the mean (SEM). RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were followed up for a period of 59.6 months. The overall pain level average in the 24 patients decreased significantly from 8.9 +/- 0.4 pre-stenting to 3.9 +/- 0.7 post-stenting (P < 0.05) on a scale of 1 to 10. The number of hospital admissions per year in these patients decreased significantly from 7.3 +/- 2.1 pre-stenting to 2.1 +/- 0.4 post-stenting (P < 0.05). Pain medication usage reported by the patients found a decrease in 58% of patients, 21% remained the same, and 13% increased their usage. There was improvement in nausea (67%), vomiting (63%), and chronic pain (75%). Thirteen patients (55%) were treated endoscopically without requiring surgery and 11 (45%) patients required surgery after stenting. These 11 patients had surgery an average of 25 months post-stenting. The complication rate of post-procedural pancreatitis was 3.4%. No mortality was reported in this study. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic stenting of the pancreatic duct is a safe and effective first treatment for patients with pancreatitis secondary to pancreas divisum. Surgery, when performed for endoscopic stenting failure, is effective as an adjunctive treatment.     

Results of partial and total pancreaticoduodenectomy in 117 patients with chronic pancreatitis

This is a report of 117 pancreaticoduodenectomies performed for chronic pancreatitis, of which 49 were partial and 68 were total. The operative mortality rate of partial pancreaticoduodenectomy was 8.2% and of total pancreatectomy was 20.6%. During a follow-up period of 6 1/2 years, 76% and 63% of the surgical patients, respectively, continued to drink alcohol as heavily as before. Prior to total pancreatectomy, only 42% of the patients had diabetes. After total extirpation of the organ, all had diabetes and 75% were very difficult to stabilize with insulin, experiencing repeated episodes of hypoglycemic shock. The additional late mortality rate was 20.4% following partial pancreaticoduodenectomy and 19.1% after total resection. After total pancreatectomy, 50% of the late deaths were due to hypoglycemia. After total pancreatectomy, 11% fewer patients were still alive at the end of the follow-up period than after partial pancreaticoduodenectomy. Total pancreatectomy is justified only in patients who already have diabetes requiring insulin. A new technique is described in which, following resection of the head of the pancreas, the duct system is occluded by injection of a rapidly hardening amino acid solution, leading to atrophy of the excretory pancreas within a few weeks. This procedure has been carried out in 39 patients with a mortality rate of 2.5% and postoperative complications in 7.6%. We believe that the immediate risk of partial pancreaticoduodenectomy in chronic pancreatitis can be decreased markedly and the late results improved by this new technique.

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Résumé L'article analyse 117 duodénopancréatectomies pour pancréatite chronique, 49 partielles et 68 totales. La mortalité opératoire a été 8.2% pour les résections partielles et de 20.6% pour les totales. Les opérés ont été suivis pendant 6 1/2 années: 76% des résections partielles et 63% des totales ont continué à boire autant d'alcool qu'avant l'intervention. Avant pancréatectomie totale, 42% des malades étaient diabétiques; après cette opération, tous avaient un diabète, difficile à équilibrer à l'insuline dans 75% des cas qui ont souffert d'épisodes répétés de choc hypoglycémique. La mortalité tardive a été de 20.4% après duodénopancréatectomie partielle et de 19.1% après résection totale. Après pancréatectomie totale, 50% des décès tardifs ont été dus aux accidents d'hypoglycémie. A la fin de la période de follow-up, la survie du groupe pancréatectomie totale est de 11% inférieure à celle des résections partielles. La pancréactectomie totale n'est justifiée que chez les malades qui ont, avant l'intervention, un diabète exigeant l'administration d'insuline. Nous décrivons une nouvelle technique qui réalise, après résection de la tête du pancréas, une occlusion des canaux pancréatiques par injection d'une solution d'acides aminés à prise rapide, ce qui entraîne après quelques semaines une atrophie du pancréas exocrine. Cette technique a été utilisée chez 39 malades, avec 2.5% de décès et 7.6% de complications postopératoires. Nous estimons que cette nouvelle technique peut réduire nettement le risque opératoire de la duodénopancréatectomie partielle pour pancréatite chronique et améliorer les résultats à long terme.

     

Long-term results of pancreatojejunostomy in patients with chronic pancreatitis

During a 10 year period, 69 patients with pancreatic duct dilation of 7 mm or more and intractable pain from chronic pancreatitis underwent Roux-Y drainage either as a lateral pancreatojejunostomy on 48 occasions or as a caudal pancreatojejunostomy in 21 cases. Nine patients (three with caudal pancreatojejunostomy and six with lateral pancreatojejunostomy) were lost to follow-up within the first postoperative year. The residual 60 patients undergoing 64 procedures were followed for an average of 69.3 months (range 10 to 144 months). Four patients with recurrent pain after caudal pancreatojejunostomy were converted to a lateral pancreatojejunostomy, with resolution of pain. Long-term pain relief occurred significantly more often in patients undergoing lateral pancreatojejunostomy than in those who received a caudal pancreatojejunostomy (66 versus 34 percent, p less than 0.01). Accordingly, caudal pancreatojejunostomy has little place in the surgical management of these patients. Since no differences existed in the two surgical populations, long-term pain relief in chronic pancreatitis appears more favorably influenced by the choice of an appropriate surgical procedure, rather than resulting solely from progressive destruction of the gland, as has been claimed. Although successful results in patients with lateral pancreatojejunostomy could not be correlated with anastomotic suture technique (one layer versus two layers or capsule versus mucosa-to-mucosa, p greater than 0.05), the creation of a pancreatojejunal anastomosis of more than 6 cm was found to be critical for success (p less than 0.001). Restoration of either exocrine or endocrine function should not be anticipated after otherwise successful lateral pancreatojejunostomy. However, if ductal dilatation can be demonstrated, recurrent pain after lateral pancreatojejunostomy is best managed by repeat lateral pancreatojejunostomy rather than resection.     

Long-term follow-up study of 93 patients with TIA

Long-term outcome and recurrence rate were discussed in 96 patients of TIA out of 792 of cerebral ischemic disease who were admitted to our hospital during the past 11 years. They all had had attacks in the territory of internal carotid artery. Ninety-three patients could be interviewed finally. They included 63 males and 30 females and the age ranged from 36 to 88 years with an average of 60.5 years. The follow-up period ranged from 4 months to 8 years and 10 months with an average of 3 years and 1 month. Cerebral angiography was performed in 88 patients of them and revealed 16 patients of internal carotid artery stenosis, 12 patients of middle cerebral artery stenosis, 19 patients of severe cerebral arteriosclerosis and 41 patients of normal findings. CT scan was performed in 88 patients and showed abnormal findings in 12 patients. Eleven patients of them had lacunar infarction. Twenty-four patients of arterial stenosis (14 patients of internal carotid artery stenosis and 10 patients of middle cerebral artery stenosis) had surgical treatment of STA-MCA anastomosis (the superficial temporal artery-the middle cerebral artery) and carotid endarterectomy because they were considered to be cause of TIA. The other 69 patients were treated conservatively mainly with antiplatelet therapy. Four of 24 surgical treated patients developed another attack of cerebral ischemia thereafter, 2 patients had TIA of the contra-lateral hemisphere, one had cerebral infarction in the territory of posterior cerebral artery and the rest had lacunar infarction in the contra-lateral basal ganglia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Long-term follow-up of a randomized clinical trial comparing Beger with pylorus-preserving Whipple procedure for chronic pancreatitis

Background:

Duodenum‐preserving pancreatic head resection according to Beger and the pylorus‐preserving Whipple (ppWhipple) procedure were compared in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) in a randomized clinical trial. Perioperative data and short‐term outcome have been reported previously. The present study evaluated long‐term follow‐up.

Methods:

Forty patients were enrolled originally, 20 in each group. Long‐term follow‐up included mortality, morbidity, pain status, occupational rehabilitation, quality of life (QoL), and endocrine and exocrine function at median follow‐up of 7 and 14 years.

Results:

One patient who had a ppWhipple procedure was lost to follow‐up. There were five late deaths in each group. No differences were noted in pain status and exocrine pancreatic function. Loss of appetite was significantly worse in the ppWhipple group at 14 years' follow‐up, but there were no other differences in QoL parameters examined. After 14 years, diabetes mellitus was present in seven of 15 patients who had the Beger procedure and 11 of 14 patients after ppWhipple resection (P = 0·128).

Conclusion:

After long‐term follow‐up of up to 14 years early advantages of the Beger procedure were no longer present. Copyright © 2007 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

保留十二指肠胰头切除术与胰十二指肠切除术治疗慢性胰腺炎的比较研究

目的:比较保留十二指肠胰头切除术(duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection,DPPHR)与胰十二指肠切除术(pancreaticoduodenectomy,PD)治疗慢性胰腺炎的安全性及临床疗效。方法:回顾分析我院2004年1月至2010年12月接受DPPHR与PD的59例慢性胰腺炎病人,比较两种术式的术前数据、手术情况、术后并发症率、死亡率和术后住院天数等,用EORTC(European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer)QLQ-C30(Quality-of-Life Questionnaire-C30)V3.0中文版生活质量评分量表评价术后病人的生活质量。结果:共59例病人纳入研究,PD组37例,DPPHR组22例。两组术前特征无统计学差异。PD组与DPPHR组相比,在术中失血[(332±103)mL比(241±74)mL,P<0.05]、手术时间[(310±91)min比(249±71)min,P<0.05)]和术后住院天数[(14.3±9.0)d比(9.4±8.4)d,P0.05)和生活质量评分两组无统计学差异,但DPPHR组评分略优于PD组。结论:DPPHR组与PD相比在缓解慢性胰腺炎病人疼痛方面有效。两组生活质量无统计学差异。两组病人在术后并发症发生率和术后死亡率上并无统计学差异,同样安全可行,在术后住院天数、术中失血和手术时间,DPPHR组优于PD组。     

Long-term follow-up of a randomized trial comparing the beger and frey procedures for patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE: To report on the long-term follow-up of a randomized clinical trial comparing pancreatic head resection according to Beger and limited pancreatic head excision combined with longitudinal pancreatico-jejunostomy according to Frey for surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Resection and drainage are the 2 basic surgical principles in surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis. They are combined to various degrees by the classic duodenum preserving pancreatic head resection (Beger) and limited pancreatic head excision combined with longitudinal pancreatico-jejunostomy (Frey). These procedures have been evaluated in a randomized controlled trial by our group. Long-term follow up has not been reported so far. METHODS: Seventy-four patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis were initially allocated to DPHR (n = 38) or LE (n = 36). This postoperative follow-up included the following parameters: mortality, quality of life (QL), pain (validated pain score), and exocrine and endocrine function. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 104 months (72-144). Seven patients were not available for follow-up (Beger = 4; Frey = 3). There was no significant difference in late mortality (31% [8/26] versus 32% [8/25]). No significant differences were found regarding QL (global QL 66.7 [0-100] versus 58.35 [0-100]), pain score (11.25 [0-75] versus 11.25 [0-99.75]), exocrine (88% versus 78%) or endocrine insufficiency (56% versus 60%). CONCLUSIONS: After almost 9 years' long-term follow-up, there was no difference regarding mortality, quality of life, pain, or exocrine or endocrine insufficiency within the 2 groups. The decision which procedure to choose should be based on the surgeon's experience.     

Efficacy of feeding tube placement during pancreaticoduodenectomy for chronic pancreatitis

Malnutrition, intestinal dysmotility, and gastroparesis are frequent problems in patients with chronic pancreatitis who undergo pancreaticoduodenectomy. This has led to the practice of operative placement of enteral feeding tubes. The purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of feeding tubes placed during pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with chronic pancreatitis. The records of 78 consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for chronic pancreatitis were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Forty-nine patients who received feeding tubes at the time of operation were compared with 29 who did not have feeding tubes placed. Both groups had similar disease progress measured by duration of symptoms and preoperative nutritional status. During the observation period, there was a trend toward not using operative feeding tubes (first 6 years 84 per cent versus last 2 years 33%). The overall complication rate after pancreaticoduodenectomy was 54 per cent. Placement of a feeding tube was associated with an increase in intra-abdominal morbidity from 34 per cent to 57 per cent (P < 0.03). None of the patients had a complication directly related to placement of the feeding tube. Eighty-eight per cent of the placed feeding tubes were used. Despite feeding tube placement, 49 per cent of patients with feeding tubes required postoperative use of total parenteral nutrition compared with 55 per cent of patients without feeding tubes (P > 0.05). Length of hospital stay and hospital readmission during the first postoperative year were not affected by feeding tube placement. In conclusion, simultaneous feeding tube placement along with pancreatic head resection for chronic pancreatitis can be performed safely. The majority of the feeding tubes are used in postoperative care, but they do not prevent the need for total parenteral nutrition and do not shorten length of hospital stay.     

Long-term results of bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy in patients with chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: The management of pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis is difficult. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the early and long-term pain relief provided by bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy. METHODS: From August 1995 to August 1999, 44 patients with chronic pancreatitis underwent bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy. Data were collected prospectively. Thirty-six patients required opioids. Pain intensity was registered before operation and at regular intervals after surgery by means of a visual analogue scale (VAS). Use of analgesics (opioids; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen; no analgesics or aminocetophen) was noted before and after splanchnicectomy. Median follow-up was 36 (range 12-60) months. RESULTS: The procedure was technically successful in 40 patients. Thirty-six patients had no complications. Eleven of 24 patients who have been followed up for 24 months or more had a significantly reduced VAS score at 2 years (median (range) 8.5 (7-10) versus 2.5 (0-5); P < 0.01). The cumulative rate of pain relief was 46 per cent 48 months after splanchnicectomy. CONCLUSION: Bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy alleviated pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis. It was associated with a low morbidity rate and no deaths. Pain eventually recurred in approximately 50 per cent.     

Long-term results of distal pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis in 90 patients

OBJECTIVE: To determine the indications for distal pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis and to evaluate the risks, functional loss, and outcome of the procedure. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Chronic pancreatitis is generally associated with continued pain, parenchymal and ductal hypertension. and progressive pancreatic dysfunction, and it is a cause of premature death in patients who receive conservative treatment. Good results have recently been reported by the authors and others for resection of the pancreatic head in this disease, but distal pancreatectomy is a less popular option attended by variable success rates. It remains a logical approach for patients with predominantly left-sided pancreatic disease, however. METHODS: A personal series of 90 patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis over the last 20 years has been reviewed, with a mean postoperative follow-up of 34 months (range 1-247). Pancreatic function was measured before and after operation in many patients. RESULTS: Forty-eight of 84 patients available for follow-up had a successful outcome in terms of zero or minimal, intermittent pain. There was one perioperative death, but complications developed in 29 patients, with six early reexplorations. Morbidity was unaffected by associated splenectomy or right-to-left dissection. Late mortality rate over the follow-up period was 10%; most of these late deaths occurred because of failure to abstain from alcohol. Preoperative exocrine function was abnormal in two thirds of those tested and was unchanged at follow-up. Diabetic curves were seen in 10% of patients preoperatively, while there was an additional diabetic morbidity rate of 23% related to the procedure and late onset of diabetes (median duration 27 months) in another 23%. Diabetic onset was related to percentage parenchymal resection as well as splenectomy. Outcome was not clearly dependent on the etiology of pancreatitis or on disease characteristics as assessed by preoperative imaging. However, patients with pseudocyst disease alone did better than other groups. Twenty-one of 36 patients who failed to respond to distal pancreatectomy required further intervention, including completion pancreatectomy, neurolysis, and sphincteroplasty. Thirteen of these 21 patients achieved long-term pain relief after their second procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Distal pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis from any etiology can be performed with low mortality and a good outcome in terms of pain relief and return to work in approximately 60% of patients. Little effect is seen on exocrine function of the pancreas, but there is a diabetic risk of 46% over 2 years. Pseudocyst disease is associated with the best outcome, but other manifestations of this disease, including strictures, calcification, and limited concomitant disease in the head of the pancreas, can still be associated with a good outcome.     

Long-term follow-up of patients with rotationplasty

Introduction and importanceRotationplasty considered a limb-salvage procedure and has a lot of advantages when comparing it with endoprostheses or above-knee amputation.Case presentationWe report two cases of young patients with osteosarcoma with rotationplasty being performed for both of them.Clinical discussionPatients with rotationplasty have less restrictions in daily life activities due to pain comparing with patients with endoprostheses.ConclusionOur aim here is to confirm that rotationplasty is an applicable, successful and alternative procedure to endoprostheses or above-knee amputation, when doing it based on an accurate indication and patients regain their previous daily life activities and satisfaction.     

Long-term follow-up of patients with gastroschisis

Long-term follow-up of children with gastroschisis has been made possible by the increased survival of these infants over the past 20 years. We have observed that children with isolated gastroschisis defects exhibit normal growth and development beyond 5 years of age without significant bowel sequelae. Infants with gastroschisis with concomitant bowel atresia or complications who require small bowel resection are at a greatly increased risk for long-term bowel problems and abdominal complaints.     

Long-term follow-up study of chronic globus pallidus internus stimulation for posttraumatic hemidystonia

The authors report the first case of chronic globus pallidus internus (GPi) stimulation for treatment of medically intractable hemidystonia for which long-term follow-up data are available. The patient had developed left-sided low-frequency tremor and hemidystonia after a severe head trauma sustained at 15 years of age. He experienced relief of the tremor but not of the hemidystonia after a thalamotomy was performed in the right hemisphere 3 years postinjury. When the patient was 24 years old, the authors performed a magnetic resonance-guided stereotactic implantation of a monopolar electrode in the right-sided posteroventral GPi. Chronic deep brain stimulation resulted in remarkable improvement of dystonia-associated pain, phasic dystonic movements, and dystonic posture, which was accompanied by functional gain. Postoperative improvement was sustained after 4 years of follow up. Chronic GPi stimulation appears to be a valuable treatment option for posttraumatic dystonia.     

Long-term follow-up of tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis in diabetic patients with early chronic Charcot osteoarthropathy

Charcot osteoarthropathy with severe ankle instability and deformity is often managed with below-the-knee amputation if deformity and cutaneous compromise result in osteomyelitis. Recently, some surgeons have reported satisfactory outcomes with ankle arthrodesis in the coalescence or remodeling (subacute and chronic) stages of the disease before the onset of joint instability, severe deformity, and ulcer formation. This observational study describes the clinical outcomes of ankle arthrodesis in a cohort of 45 diabetic patients who underwent unilateral ankle arthrodesis for Charcot neuroarthropathic ankle deformity before the development of ulceration and bone infection. Two (4.44%) of the patients were lost to follow-up, whereas 2 (4.44%) others underwent below-the-knee amputation shortly after the ankle arthrodesis because of postoperative infection. After a mean follow-up duration of 5 ± 2.85 years, 39 (86.67%) patients returned to independent ambulation wearing custom-made shoes with molded insoles, whereas 2 (4.44%) others required pneumatic casts for ambulation.     

Long-term results of frey’s procedure for chronic pancreatitis: a longitudinal prospective study on 40 patients

Only limited prospective data are available regarding the long-term outcome of local resection of the pancreatic head in combination with longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy in patients with chronic pancreatitis. From 1997 to 2001, 40 patients affected by chronic pancreatitis were subjected to the Frey’s procedure. Preoperative selection criteria included confirmed diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, dilation of Wirsung’s duct to a diameter greater than 6 mm, and the absence of obstructive chronic pancreatitis secondary to fibrotic stenosis at the pancreatic body or tail. Preoperative pain was present in 38 cases (95%), and follow-up was performed in all patients at least once yearly up to 2003 (median 60 months, inter percentile range 20.1-79.6). Postoperative morbidity occurred in three cases (7.5%). The percentage of pain-free patients was 94.7%, 93.7%, 87.5%, and 90% at 1, 2, 3, and 4/5 years after surgical operation, respectively. After surgery, three patients developed diabetes. Both the body mass index and quality of life showed statistically significant improvements at all follow-up intervals. Whenever surgery is indicated, the short-term and long-term outcomes confirm that Frey’s procedure is an appropriate means of management for patients with chronic pancreatitis in the absence of doubts of neoplasia and/or distal ductal obstruction.     

Long-term follow-up of patients with necrotizing enterocolitis

Background/Purpose: Despite the rise in the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), there is a paucity of data regarding long-term patient outcome. The authors examined functional outcome of infants with NEC (n = 103) treated at our institution between 1991 and 1995. Methods: The authors reviewed the medical records of infants who were treated both operatively and nonoperatively, n = 103. Variables examined included gestational age, birth weight, Bell stage (I through III), operations performed, and mortality rate. Telephone interviews assessed school enrollment, developmental delay, bowel function, and nutritional status. Results: Children treated operatively had a lower gestational age than those in the nonoperative group. Likewise, birth weight in the operative group was significantly lower. Sixty-three percent of patients had stage III, and the remainder had stage II disease. The telephone response rate was 61%. Mean age at follow-up was 7.5 [plusmn] 2.5 years. All children ate by mouth. Nearly all children were toilet trained. All children were less than the 50th percentile for height and weight, and the majority (83%) were enrolled in school full time. Conclusion: Infants with stage II and III NEC who are treated operatively or nonoperatively have a favorable long-term outcome. J Pediatr Surg 37:1048-1050.