RESUMO
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if timing of enterostomy repair described in terms of postmenstrual age (PMA) could influence postoperative course, complications, and growth. METHODS: Under the Institutional Review Board approval, records of preterm infants who underwent enterostomy and subsequent repair from 2007 to 2013 at Seoul national university children's hospital were reviewed. Records of infants with congenital anomalies were excluded. Data collected included baseline characteristics, PMA, weight at enterostomy and enterostomy repair, postoperative course, enterostomy repair-related complications, and follow-up growth after repair. For analysis, patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 with enterostomy repaired before PMA 40 weeks; and group 2 with enterostomy repaired since PMA 40 weeks. RESULTS: There were 54 infants: 16 in group 1 and 38 in group 2. The median weight at the time of enterostomy repair was greater in group 2 compared to those of group 1. Group 1 infants had more complications and had to be ventilated longer after enterostomy repair. They required longer periods of total parenteral nutrition and took longer to reach full enteral feeding. Group 1 infants also needed longer hospital stay after enterostomy repair. No statistical difference was observed in growth after discharge. CONCLUSION: The timing of enterostomy repair influences postoperative course and complications significantly. Therefore, it is recommended that enterostomy repair should be withheld until PMA 40 weeks. For predicting long term prognosis, more studies will be required.