[Pseudomembranous colitis. Personal experience]

The author summarizes experience with the treatment of five patients with pseudomembranous colitis. The diagnosis of this disease was outdated and only in the last two cases it was possible to use the latex agglutination test to assess the presence of Clostridium difficile toxins. The patients were admitted to the clinic in a serious septic toxic condition and thus it proved possible to cure conservatively (using Vancomycin) only one female patient. Four patients were operated in a critical condition (subtotal colectomy with ileostomy and a mucous fistula of the rectosigmoid), two died from progressing sepsis (shock lung). The authors emphasize the necessity of early and accurate diagnosis, incl. assessment of the toxin titre. With regard to the fact that the method is demanding from the economic aspect, the authors propose an economical algorithm of examination and treatment of patients who suffer during prolonged hospitalization from repeated diarrhoea, and the use of broad spectrum antibiotics.

Anastomotic ulceration: a late complication of ileocolonic anastomosis

Symptomatic ulceration developed at a previous ileocolonic anastomosis in six children. In the neonatal period all patients had had necrotizing enterocolitis that required resection of the terminal ileum, ileocecal valve, and proximal portion of the colon. Gross or occult rectal bleeding, with or without pain and diarrhea, began 5 1/2 years after successful resection and ileocolonic anastomosis. The cause of the ulcers is unknown. They appear inflammatory, both grossly and histologically, but have been uniformly unresponsive to antiinflammatory medications, antibiotics, and immunosuppressive medication. Surgical revision of the anastomosis and ulcer resection in five patients have resulted in rapid recurrence in four. Thirteen similar cases have been reported in the English-language literature. We conclude that ulceration is a long-term complication of neonatal resection of the terminal ileum and ascending colon with ileocolonic anastomosis.

Complications after surgical intervention for necrotizing enterocolitis: a multicenter review

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious condition affecting predominantly the premature infant. The purpose of this study is to report a multicenter experience of complications in 252 infants requiring surgical therapy for NEC. Data from eight institutions for the years 1980 through 1990 were collected and analyzed for infants undergoing surgical therapy for NEC. Records were reviewed for gestational age, birth weight, age at operation, indications for operation, degree of intestinal involvement, operation(s) performed, complications, and 30-day mortality rates. A total of 264 infants underwent surgical intervention for NEC during the study period. Complete information was available for 252 patients. The mean gestational age was 31 +/- 5 weeks and the mean birth weight was 1,552 +/- 823 g. The mean age at operation was 18 +/- 35 days. Pneumoperitoneum was the most common indication for operation (42%). The 30-day survival rate was 72%. Eighty-one percent of patients underwent primary laparotomy, whereas peritoneal drainage was performed in 48 (19%) patients. Postoperative complications were identified in 119 (47%) patients. The most common postoperative complications were sepsis (9%), intestinal strictures (9%), and short gut (9%). Wound infections occurred in 6%, and the incidence of intraabdominal abscess formation was only 2.3%. Gestational age < 27 weeks (P < .005) and birth weight < 1,000 g (P < .005) were associated with significantly increased mortality but no increase in postoperative morbidity. The incidence of complications was similar in the very low birth weight (< 1,000 g) infants (51%) compared with infants > or = 1,000 g (46%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Surgical management of pediatric necrotizing enterocolitis

Necrotizing enterocolitis is one of the most common gastrointestinal emergencies observed in neonatal intensive care units. Despite extensive research efforts, the etiology and pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis remain unclear. Investigators have attempted to identify various laboratory and clinical factors that would serve as criteria for surgical intervention. Unfortunately, the most sensitive and specific tests detect only advanced disease and perforation. The mainstay of surgical treatment is resection with enterostomy, although resection and primary anastomosis is useful in selected cases. In addition, some neonates may benefit from peritoneal drainage, second look procedures, or proximal diversion.

Neurodevelopmental outcome in very low birthweight infants with necrotizing enterocolitis requiring surgery

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) on neurodevelopmental outcome.

METHODOLOGY

Neurodevelopmental outcome of 20 very low birthweight (VLBW) infants who developed NEC requiring surgery was compared with 40 matched infants controlled for gestation, birthweight, and year of admission. Twenty-nine VLBW infants who developed NEC and did not require surgery were also compared.

RESULTS

Infants with NEC needing surgery were of 26 +/- 2 weeks gestation and weighted 892 +/- 192 g at birth. Infants with NEC managed medically were of higher gestation (27 +/- 2 weeks) but similar birthweights. More infants with NEC requiring surgery required inotropic support. At follow up, NEC surgery infants had a significantly higher incidence of developmental morbidity. 11 of 20 compared with 11 of 40 matched controls (Fisher's exact test P = 0.0493), and six of 29 infants with NEC managed medically (Fisher's exact test P = 0.0174).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings stress the importance for close follow up for neurodevelopmental sequelae in VLBW infants who have had NEC requiring surgery.

Management of premature infants with extensive bowel resection with high volume enteral infusates

To avoid long-term parenteral nutrition (PN), three premature infants with extensive bowel resections were fed high volume enteral infusates (HVEI). Following surgery an elemental hypo-osmolar gastric infusate was initiated. The infants were weaned of PN and were subsequently maintained on HVEI feeding. Rather than using the volume of the ileostomy outputs or the presence of reducing substances as guides for adjustment of enteral intake, we tolerated large ileostomy output and focused instead on the patients' hydration, serum electrolytes and acid base status. During HVEI feeding, the patients had sustained weight gain, while the mean +/- SD enteral intakes were 373 +/- 67, 689 +/- 132, and 415 +/- 108 ml/kg per day; osmolarity of enteral infusates were 250 +/- 25, 225 +/- 40 and 228 +/- 27 mosmol/l; caloric intakes were 163 +/- 29, 258 +/- 54, and 153 +/- 44 Kcal/kg per day; and ileostomy outputs were 113 +/- 47, 228 +/- 59, and 175 +/- 69 ml/kg per day, respectively. Gut adaptation lasted 122, 141, and 205 days, respectively. Re-anastomoses of the intestines were performed at the ages of 8, 78, and 36 months. At 18, 108, and 58 months, infants' weights were in the 50th, 20th, and 5th percentiles, respectively. No infant developed cirrhosis. High volume enteral infusate feeding in infants with extensive bowel resection may help achieve gut adaptation and may serve as an alternative nutrition modality to prolonged PN.

[Acute necrotizing enterocolitis during a prolonged treatment with neuroleptics]

A 32-year old man treated for several years with phenothiazine for chronic psychosis developed acute necrotizing colitis. The causal relationship with neuroleptics was reinforced by the absence of any other treatment and by histological findings including extensive mucosal necrosis without stenotic lesion and without mesenteric vessels alteration. The patient required emergency total colectomy and was discharged after 7 weeks of hospitalisation in the intensive care unit.

Prospective evaluation of the absorptive capacity of the bowel after major and minor resections in the neonate

The outcome after major bowel resection in the neonatal period depends primarily on the time needed for bowel adaptation. A prospective study was begun in neonates after small bowel resection to evaluate the absorptive capacity of the bowel and growth parameters as a result of adaptation of the bowel. Twenty-four neonates who underwent bowel resection were included. The underlying diagnoses were necrotising enterocolitis (12), jejunal atresia (3), meconium peritonitis (3), and other (6). During the study, a standardized treatment with respect to nutrition was followed. At predetermined times, enterostomy fluid or faeces were collected for analysis of carbohydrate content, fat content, and fatty acids, together with a xylose test and a hydrogen breath test. Growth parameters included weight and height. The 24 patients were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of eight patients with short bowel syndrome (defined as loss of more than 50% of the original small bowel length related to gestational age). The mean remaining small bowel length in this group was 34.0% (24% to 42%). Group B consisted of 16 patients who had only minor bowel resections. Retarded growth was observed in four group A patients. Low levels of carbohydrate absorption were found 2 and 4 weeks after the initial operation in group A, and 2 weeks after the initial operation in group B. Low levels of fat absorption were found 4 and 8 weeks after the initial operation in group A. The coefficient of absorption of the different fatty acids showed complete absorption of caprylic acid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Detection and side effects of isoantibodies in intravenously administered immunoglobulin preparations]

BACKGROUND

Intravenous immunoglobulins (IvIg) contain not only the declared antibodies against pathogenic microorganisms, but also all the other antibodies of the blood donors, e.g. against erythrocytic antigens.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We tested 14 IvIg from 7 manufacturers (a total of 40 charges) for isoantibodies and irregular antibodies. To improve the reading of our tests we used the gel centrifugation method (ID-Microtyping-System, Fa. Diamed, Bensheim, Germany).

RESULTS

The highest isoantibody titers were (in 8 charges) 1:32 or 1:64 in the Liss-Coombs test. Irregular antibodies were found in 5 IvIg (maximal titer 1:8).

CONCLUSIONS

Isoantibodies in the IvIg can influence blood group serologic tests. With an example of a newborn who had received IvIg we point to the potential danger of misinterpretation of a positive direct antiglobulin test after administration of IvIg. Therefore we recommend to carry out the direct antiglobulin test before administration of IvIg and to examine all eluates after a positive direct Coombs test not only with 0 RBCs but also with A or B RBCs of the AB0 blood group of the patient.

[Necrotizing enterocolitis: a 12-year retrospective study]

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most relevant intestinal acquired complication during the neonatal period. Due to the improvements in perinatal medicine during the last decade, we wanted to work out possible differences in the incidence, diagnosis and clinical courses of NEC during a 12 years period.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All premature or term newborns were eligible for the study, if a necrotizing enterocolitis > or = stage 2a according to Bell was diagnosed between January 1980-December 1991.

RESULTS

During the study period, 90 preterm or term newborns were treated for necrotizing enterocolitis, 19 infants were admitted to our hospital for therapy of established NEC from other hospitals. Forty-five infants had a birthweight of < or = 1500 g. During the years 1987-1991 there was an increase in the incidence (4-12/year, median 9/year, compared to 0-6, median 3/year during the period 1980-1986). This was paralleled by an increase in very low birthweight infants admitted to the NICU (1980-1986: 35-45/year, 1987-1991: 83-108/year). Prominent clinical signs: abdominal distension (85 infants), increased gastric residuals (72), bright blood from rectum (56). Median time of manifestation in infants < or = 30 weeks was 17 days, for infants of 31-34 weeks 8 days and for infants of > or = 35 weeks of gestation 4 days. Eleven infants were fed parenterally exclusively before NEC, 12 infants received exclusively breast milk, 67 formula. Surgical treatment was indicated in 51 infants (indication: intestinal perforation or peritonitis diagnosed by abdominal paracentesis). Seventy-one infants survived, in 17 infants who died, NEC or secondary disorders were the main cause.

CONCLUSION

With increasing numbers of very preterm infants, the relevance of NEC becomes more and more important. Concepts of prevention and early diagnosis further have to be worked out.

[Necrotizing enterocolitis: a 10-year survey]

We reviewed the records of all infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) who had been diagnosed in "Teresa Herrera" Hospital in La Coruña between 1984 and 1994. We tried to determine the risk factors that could influence at the beginning of the disease, the clinic presentation, and the basic aspects of treatment. All cases of ECN with clinic-radiologic confirmation were examined (Bell stages II and III). With this approach, a general questionnaire containing records, clinical presentation, and treatment, was applied to all cases. In our revision, we found that neonate most at risk is that one with an average gestational age of 35 weeks, a mean weight of 2500 gr., with a laborious delivery and who was admitted in the neonatal intensive care unit for an important disease. The onset of NEC was more frequent in the first 15 days of life, and clinical and radiological features were used to confirm the disease. In 86% of the cases, oral feeding had begun. Surgery was needed in 36% of the cases, of which 86% suffered from gut perforation, terminal ileum being the most frequent localization. The general mortality was 12%. Only one of the operated patient died. We conclude that in the appearance of NEC there are a lot of influential factors, including perinatal stress, prematurity and a low birth weight. Clinical symptoms are haemodynamic instability, abdominal distension and bloody stools, obtaining confirmation through radiology in 87%. We consider the importance of early diagnosis and treatment and exhaustive observation by children's surgeon to indicate early surgery.

[Small intestine ulcers 12 years after ileosigmoid anastomosis for neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis]

BACKGROUND

Ileal ulcers can be seen several years after surgery for neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis. They may be due to chronic bacterial colonisation of the intestine.

CASE REPORT

A 12 year-old boy admitted suffering from chronic severe anemia (hemoglobin 6.5 g/dl), hypochromic and microcytic. Digestive bleeding was negative and the patient was successfully given iron for 6 months. Anemia was found again several months after cessation of treatment. Rectosigmoidoscopy showed several ulcers with inflammatory mucosa, near anastomosis secondary to an extensive bowel resection due to necrotizing enterocolitis. Ulcers of the distal small bowel persisted despite mesalazine and iron therapy and required resection of the intestine on both sides of the anastomosis. A few months later, recurrence of both ulcers and anemia led to the search for bacterial overgrowth which was confirmed by breath hydrogen testing. The patient was then given metronidazole plus amoxicillin by alternate courses and is well one year later.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic bacterial colonization can be responsible for ileal ulcers several years after intestinal resection, requiring a prolonged controlled follow-up.

Necrotizing enterocolitis: laboratory indicators of surgical disease

The timely distinction between infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) who need surgery and those who are likely to recover with medical management is important, but it may be difficult clinically. Because pneumoperitoneum is not always present, additional markers of bowel gangrene are needed. Among 73 babies managed for NEC over the study period, 49 (67%) met the study criteria of Bell's stage > 1, and their records were reviewed to determine the usefulness of common laboratory tests in predicting outcome. The patients were divided into three groups based on management. Group 1 (7 patients) required surgery at the time of initial presentation because of pneumoperitoneum. The remaining 42 patients were initially managed medically, 19 of whom (group 2) recovered successfully; the other 23 (group 3) required surgery. The combination of certain laboratory tests, ie, white blood cell count (WBC), immature:total neutrophil ratio (I:T), platelet count (PLT), and base excess (BE), was of significance in distinguishing between infants who would need surgery and those who would recover with medical therapy (group 3 v group 2) 4 to 12 hours or 12 to 24 hours after the diagnosis of NEC was established. A scoring scale was developed, with a point for each of the following: WBC < 9,000/mm3, I:T > .5, PLT < 200,000/mm3, and BE < or = -2. A score of > or = 3 during 4 to 12 hours after diagnosis of NEC strongly predicted the presence of surgical disease (positive predictive value, 100%; negative predictive value, 76%; specificity, 100%; sensitivity, 64%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Necrotizing enterocolitis: symptomatology, diagnosis and therapeutic consequences]

Within a 6-year period ten patients with necrotizing enterocolitis (grade II-III; Bell) have been treated at the University Hospital, Göttingen. The following NEC incidences were calculated: birth weight < 1000 g: 2.4% (3/123); 1000-1500 g: 0.6% (2/308); 1501-2000 g: 0.7% (3/436); > 3000 g: approximately 0.006% (2/30,000 live births). In all patients onset of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) was associated with typical clinical symptoms such as abdominal distension, feeding problems, bloody stools. Only four out of ten patients had positive blood tests of various inflammatory parameters when diagnosed (C-reactive protein, neutrophil count, I/T-ratio). However, increased CRP levels were observed in all patients during the course of the disease (maximum levels: day 2-4 after diagnosis). During primarily conservative therapeutic management only one out of ten patients developed bowel perforation (day 6 after diagnosis) and immediate surgical treatment was carried out. In addition, in three patients who acquired strictures with obstruction of the colon, elective surgery was performed at a postnatal age of 51-77 days. All patients survived NEC without longterm sequelae. We conclude that a primarily conservative therapeutic regimen-whenever perforation and gangrene are absent-may be an alternative to early surgical intervention in NEC.

Ostomy care for infants with necrotizing enterocolitis

Necrotizing Enterocolitis, a disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract of some premature neonates, often results in a temporary stoma. The fragile skin of these neonates, the small surface area of their abdomens, and the limited ostomy supplies available in appropriate sizes can cause difficult pouching situations. The use of a flexible skin barrier with the smallest available pouch maintains the principles of ostomy care, protecting the skin and containing the effluent.

Pseudomembranous colitis: a surgical disease?

BACKGROUND

Pseudomembranous colitis (PMC) is an increasingly common nosocomial infection caused by Clostridium difficile and its toxins. The disease is usually successfully treated with oral vancomycin. The toxic form of PMC, which requires surgical intervention, is uncommon and often carries a high mortality rate. The indications and recommended surgical procedure and the results of current surgical treatment remain unclear.

METHODS

All charts of adults undergoing surgical intervention for PMC during the last 6 years were retrospectively reviewed. During the last 6 years an estimated 37,000 C. difficile toxin assays have been performed with 3300 positive results.

RESULTS

Thirteen adults (0.39%) underwent surgical intervention for PMC. Surgical intervention was performed for systemic toxic effects in all patients, with physical signs of peritonitis in six patients and worsening computed tomographic scans with ongoing illness despite appropriate medical therapy in five. The overall mortality rate in the series was 38%; in those undergoing left hemicolectomy (n = 4) the mortality rate was 100% versus a mortality rate of 14% for those undergoing subtotal colectomy (n = 9).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the effectiveness of oral vancomycin therapy, surgical therapy is occasionally although rarely indicated for the treatment of toxic PMC. Surgical intervention should be considered when the patient has signs of organ failure, a worsening CT scan, or signs of peritonitis. At laparotomy the external appearance of the colon is often deceptively normal and should not influence the surgical procedure of choice, subtotal colectomy. These severely ill patients can be treated with an acceptable morbidity and mortality rate.

The role and timing of surgery in the treatment of pseudomembranous colitis. A case complicated by toxic megacolon

The authors describe a particularly serious case of pseudomembranous colitis due to Clostridium difficile that was complicated by toxic megacolon. It was resolved by surgical intervention, and the reasons why subtotal colectomy is preferable to simple ileostomy are discussed.

[Severe obstructive necrotizing enterocolitis associated with carcinoma of the sigmoid colon: report of a case]

A 68-year-old male diagnosed as carcinoma of the sigmoid colon developed shock and cardiac arrest just 8 hours after the onset of ielus. After resuscitation, exploratory laparotomy was carried out and it revealed gangrene spreading from the sigmoid colon over the distal 150cm of the terminal ileum, separated from the carcinoma by a normal segment of the colon 13cm in length. All the mesenteric vessels were pulsating normally. The whole necrotic lesion including the carcinoma was resected and an ileostomy was constructed. This is a noteworthy report of severe obstructive necrotizing enterocolitis with critical condition and wide involvement of the colon and intestine associated with carcinoma of the sigmoid colon.

Surgical treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis and the short bowel syndrome

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common surgical emergency of newborns and the most common cause of short bowel syndrome in infancy. The surgical treatment of NEC is reviewed, including indications for operation, surgical procedures, postoperative management and complications, and survival. The causes, pathophysiology, and treatment of short bowel syndrome are also discussed.

[Nonocclusive intestinal infarct and necrotizing enterocolitis in the adult]

A case of full-thickness necrosis of the small bowel, and colon, which required partial resection of the jejunum and total resection of the ileum and colon is reported. The case gives the chance for a review of the Literature on intestinal necrosis not caused by vascular occlusion. Nonocclusive intestinal ischemia, acute neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis and adult necrotizing enterocolitis including the Pig-bel disease, common in Papua-New Guinea, are examined. Resemblances and differences in etiology, pathophysiology and clinical findings are discussed. The hypothesis that the process of "bacterial translocation" plays a central role in the pathogenesis of bowel infarction, representing therefore a possible link between infective and vascular mechanisms, is emphasized. Important suggestions on massive intestinal necrosis management are also reported.

Indications for operation in necrotizing enterocolitis revisited

Operation for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is reserved for infants with intestinal gangrene or perforation. It should not be undertaken until gangrene is present, but ideally should be performed before intestinal perforation occurs. To characterize the onset of intestinal gangrene, data were analyzed for 147 infants with documented NEC, 94 of whom had gangrene. Twelve criteria were evaluated as predictors of intestinal gangrene, using standard epidemiological measures for diagnostic tests. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and prevalence were calculated for each of the proposed operative criteria. The best indications were those whose specificity and positive predictive value approached 100%, and whose prevalence was greater than 10%. These were pneumoperitoneum, positive paracentesis, and portal venous gas. Good indications were those whose specificity and positive predictive value approached 100%, but whose prevalence was less than 10%. These were fixed intestinal loop noted on x-ray, erythema of the abdominal wall, and a palpable abdominal mass. A fair indication for operation--with 91% specificity, 94% positive predictive value, and prevalence of 20%--was "severe" pneumatosis intestinalis, graded by a radiographic system. Poorer indications for operation (and their predictive value for the presence of gangrene) were clinical deterioration (78%), platelet count below 100,000/mm3 (73%), abdominal tenderness (58%), severe gastrointestinal hemorrhage (50%), and gasless abdomen with ascites (0%). No test had a high sensitivity for intestinal gangrene. Portal venous gas should be acknowledged as an indication for operation. Probability analysis may provide a more scientific basis for clinical decision-making.

Psychosocial and psychomotoric development of very low birthweight infants with necrotizing enterocolitis

Twenty-six very low birthweight infants (VLBI) were treated for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). We investigated their consecutive health problems and psychosocial development.

METHOD

One to 13 years after onset of NEC, follow-up studies were performed in 12 of the surviving children. Identical follow-up studies were performed in 6 VLBI who had been operated on for diseases other than NEC (control group). We used a detailed interview, a Denver test and a drawing test.

RESULTS

Five children of the NEC group had major persistent health problems that impaired their psychomotoric and psychosocial development (including hearing impairment, concomitant strabismus, early onset bronchial asthma). Nine of 12 VLBI of the NEC group showed signs of reduced social contact, logopaedic problems and minimal partial skill reductions.

CONCLUSION

We found similar results in both children who suffered from NEC and in a small control group of VLBI who had not suffered from NEC, therefore impaired psychomotoric and psychosocial development is probably due to prematurity.

Risk factors and severity indices in necrotizing enterocolitis

In retrospective analysis we set up a chart review of 61 consecutively newborn infants with proven diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis. The 26 female and 35 male infants were admitted to the intensive care unit of the Department of Pediatric Surgery from 1985 to 1991. Birth weights varied from 790 to 4680 g (mean value 2408 +/- 853), gestational ages from 27 to 43 weeks (mean value 36 +/- 4.0); 33 patients received conservative treatment and 28 patients were operated on. An analysis of operated (group 1) and conservatively (group 2) treated patients revealed no statistically significant difference in birth weight, gestational age, peripartal complications or type of feeding. Yet a few parameters measured at admission remained as severity indices. Operated babies had significantly higher counts of immature granulocytes and an elevation in the I:T-ratio, as well as lower counts of total granulocytes, lymphocytes, platelets and lower weights of the placenta. However, when taking into account the gestational age, the results showed that these parameters became insignificant in the low birthweight group below 34 weeks, and were of higher validity in the gestational age group over 35 weeks. In the latter group, C-reactive protein also proved to be a good parameter with statistical significance respecting the severity of necrotizing enterocolitis.