Extensive Necrotising Enterocolitis: Objective Evaluation of the Role of Second-Look Laparotomy in Bowel Salvage and Survival.

AIM: We investigated the role and outcome of a planned second-look laparotomy (SLL) in preserving bowel in extensive necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

METHODS: Extensive NECs managed surgically in a tertiary centre in 2006-2009 were retrospectively studied to include patients planned for an SLL. End points were bowel salvage rate and survival outcomes. Results were median (ranges), and statistical significance was P < 0.05.

MAIN RESULTS: In 4 years, 34 NECs required a laparotomy, and 9 extensive NECs who required an SLL were included. The gestation at birth was 27 (24-38) weeks, birth weight was 1120 (580-2835) g, and first laparotomy performed on day 34 (2-77) of life, with SLL performed 2 (1-3) days after initial laparotomy. Commonest indications for SLL were doubtful bowel viability and physiological instability. 3 died before SLL. Patients who survived to have an SLL (n = 6) had remaining small bowel length of 41 (25-70) cm, overall small bowel salvage rate 51 % (0-100 %), and 30-day survival 5/6 (83 %). Four patients survived for 1 year, their length of NICU stay was 114 (76-120) postoperative days, time on PN was 84 postoperative days (71 days-17 months), including one patient with short bowel syndrome who achieved enteral autonomy at 17 months; one late mortality had short bowel syndrome after further bowel resection for bowel obstruction, developed intestinal failure associated liver disease, and died before 1 year of life following liver transplant.

CONCLUSION: SLL is a viable approach for extensive NEC. It offered bowel salvage rate of 51 % and long-term PN-free survival of 44 %, in the patient group who would have had significant risk of mortality and major morbidity.