Background/purpose: A diverting jejunostomy without bowel resection is an option for surgical management of extensive necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We aimed to determine outcomes of infants who underwent this operation.
Methods: We collected clinical and outcome data on infants undergoing a diverting jejunostomy with no bowel resection as a primary procedure for extensive NEC. Data are median (range).
Results: Seventeen neonates underwent a diverting jejunostomy. Eleven (65%) had multifocal disease, whereas 6 (35%) had pan-intestinal involvement. Perforation was seen in 7 (41%), all with multifocal disease. The stoma was placed 12 cm (8-45) from the duodenojejunal flexure. Six infants (35%) died, 4 of these within a day of operation, owing to persisting instability. Intestinal continuity was achieved in all survivors after 52 (17-83) days, and only 1 infant (9%) had a colonic stricture. Seven infants recovered without the need for further intestinal resection distal to the jejunostomy. In those that survived, parenteral nutrition was needed for 2.2 months (1.3-18.0). A single patient had short bowel syndrome.
Conclusions: A diverting jejunostomy is a useful surgical procedure that allows high survival and enteral autonomy in the treatment of extensive NEC. In most patients, the affected intestine recovers without further intestinal resection.
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