Necrotizing enterocolitis and optimal surgical timing: Case series

The pathophysiology and management of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) with identification of the subset of NEC totalis and the timing of surgical intervention, remains an area of active research and clinical uncertainty. A third of deaths from NEC are attributed to NEC totalis. This case series presents three distinct cases of total or near-total NEC. Case 1: A female preterm infant born at 27 weeks of gestation developed sepsis at six days of life, diagnosed with NEC evidenced by portal venous gas and diffuse pneumatosis intestinalis. Surgical exploration 8 weeks later revealed extensive involvement of the entire small bowel, culminating in a fatal outcome. Case 2: A male preterm infant delivered at 24 weeks and 4 days gestation presented with respiratory distress syndrome shortly after birth and developed abdominal distension and ongoing metabolic acidosis and thrombocytopenia. On day 12 post-NEC diagnosis, surgical exploration revealed extensive bowel necrosis involving most of the small bowel and right colon. The patient did not survive the operation due to intraoperative hemorrhage secondary to the degree of acute inflammation. Case 3: A preterm female infant delivered at 25 weeks and 5 days gestation exhibited respiratory failure and a tense abdomen within the first week of life. Upon transfer to a higher level of care, imaging revealed massive pneumoperitoneum and exploration demonstrated extensive bowel necrosis from the mid jejunum to the distal transverse colon. Prompt surgical intervention within 24 hours post-diagnosis resulted in bowel resection and jejunostomy creation, leading to improved clinical condition and ongoing survival. The presented case series suggests that timing in surgical intervention for NEC may play a role in outcomes.