The role of paracentesis in the management of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the single most common surgical emergency of the newborn. Yet the indications for surgery in NEC are still not clearly established. Pneumoperitoneum is an absolute indication for surgery. A paracentesis indicative of intestinal gangrene, prior to intestinal perforation, has also been proposed as an indication for surgery. A prospective study was conducted to answer two questions: 1) How accurate and safe is paracentesis in detecting bowel necrosis in neonates with NEC? and 2) Do infants with NEC who are operated on for a positive paracentesis have a decreased morbidity and mortality over those operated on for pneumoperitoneum? Between July 1980 through June 1984, 39 infants with definite NEC and without pneumoperitoneum underwent a paracentesis because of suspected bowel necrosis. There were no false "positive" taps. There were 34 "positive" taps in 36 infants who were proven to have bowel necrosis, for an accuracy of 94 per cent. There were two false "negative" taps (40%) and three true "negative" taps (60%). There were no complications related to the procedure. During this same time period, 68 infants with NEC were operated upon. The indication for surgery was pneumoperitoneum in 29, a "positive" paracentesis in 34, and other reasons in 5. A comparison was made between those operated upon for pneumoperitoneum and those operated upon for a "positive" paracentesis. There was no significant difference in survival between the two groups (76% versus 71%). The early and late complications and the causes of death in each group were similar. A positive paracentesis is a valid objective indication for operation in infants with NEC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)