[Meconial peritonitis: conclusions based on 53 cases].

The study of 53 patients with neonatal meconium peritonitis (MP) over a twenty-two year-period, the largest surgically-treated series at a single centre, is presented. Three different types of MP were established: Generalized, Localized and Cystic. Prognosis and surgical techniques to be used were determined by each MP type. The following survival rates achieved: for Generalized MP, 70% with "one stage" and 89% with "two stage"; for Localized MP, 80% with "one stage" and 100% with "two stage" and for Cystic MP, 57% with "two stage". The overall survival rate was 77%, rising to 85% in the last fifteen years, probably due to the advent of parenteral nutrition and advances in neonatal intensive care.