Papel de la laparoscopia en prematuros con sospecha de enterocolitis necrotizante / Role of laparoscopy in premature infants with suspicion of necrotizing enterocolitis

Introducción. La indicación quirúrgica en la enterocolitis necrotizante(ECN) puede ser difícil en ausencia de neumoperitoneo o peritonitis secundaria. Proponemos la laparoscopia para realizar un diagnóstico precoz de perforaciones o necrosis intestinal y evitar laparotomías “en blanco”. Material y métodos. Se planteó un protocolo diagnóstico terapéutico que incluyera la laparoscopia en los casos de ECN de indicación quirúrgica incierta. Posteriormente se realizó un estudio prospectivo de los 7 pacientes en los que se realizó laparoscopia, analizando efectos fisiopatológicos en el prematuro, dificultades técnicas del procedimiento, congruencia diagnóstica y evolución postoperatoria. Resultados. La edad gestacional media al nacimiento fue de 27semanas (rango 25 a 31) con un peso medio de 1,147 kg (rango 0,900 a1,600). Se colocaron dos trócares orientados según la focalidad de la exploración o la radiología, aplicando un neumoperitoneo de 6-10 mm Hg durante una media de 17 min. La laparoscopia evitó la laparotomía en un paciente, que evolucionó bien tras lavado y drenaje; y magnificólas lesiones en otro paciente que, tras la laparotomía, no precisó derivación intestinal. En el resto de los casos la laparoscopia permitió una minilaparotomía orientada a las lesiones y derivación intestinal. No se produjo ninguna complicación quirúrgica atribuible al procedimiento, que fue bien tolerado en todos los casos. Conclusiones. La laparoscopia puede ser una herramienta útil para valoración de las lesiones de ECN en los casos de indicación quirúrgica incierta. En nuestra experiencia es bien tolerada en el neonato de bajo peso, permitiendo orientar el tratamiento quirúrgico e, incluso, evitarla laparotomía (AU)

Introduction. The indication of surgery in necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC) can be difficult in the absence of pneumoperitoneum or peritonitis. We propose laparoscopy for early diagnosis of intestinal perforation or necrosis in order to avoid unneccessary laparotomies. Material and methods. A new protocol was proposed which included diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy in cases of uncertain surgical ECN indication. Subsequently, a prospective study of the 7 patients who underwent laparoscopy was performed, analyzing pathophysiological effects in the premature, technical difficulties of the procedure, and postoperative diagnostic consistency. Results. The mean gestational age at birth was 27 weeks (range 25 to31) with an average weight of 1.147 kg (range 0.900 to 1.600) two trocars were placed as the focal oriented scanning or radiography, using a pneumoperitoneum6-10 mmHg for an average of 17 min. Laparoscopy avoided laparotomy in a patient who did well after washing and drainage and magnified lesions in one patient who did not require laparotomy after intestinal bypass. In other cases, laparoscopy was followed by minilaparotomy oriented to the lesions and stoma formation. There were no surgical complications attributable to the procedure, which was well tolerated in all cases. Conclusions. Laparoscopy can be a useful tool for evaluation of lesions of NEC in cases of uncertain surgical indications. In our experience ,it is well tolerated in neonates of low weight, allowing oriented minilaparotomies or even to avoid laparotomy (AU)

[Role of laparoscopy in premature infants with suspicion of necrotizing enterocolitis]. / Papel de la laparoscopia en prematuros con sospecha de enterocolitis necrotizante.

INTRODUCTION: The indication of surgery in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) can be difficult in the absence of pneumoperitoneum or peritonitis. We propose laparoscopy for early diagnosis of intestinal perforation or necrosis in order to avoid unneccessary laparotomies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A new protocol was proposed which included diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy in cases of uncertain surgical ECN indication. Subsequently, a prospective study of the 7 patients who underwent laparoscopy was performed, analyzing pathophysiological effects in the premature, technical difficulties of the procedure, and postoperative diagnostic consistency. RESULTS: The mean gestational age at birth was 27 weeks (range 25 to 31) with an average weight of 1.147 kg (range 0.900 to 1.600) two trocars were placed as the focal oriented scanning or radiography, using a pneumoperitoneum 6-10 mmHg for an average of 17 min. Laparoscopy avoided laparotomy in a patient who did well after washing and drainage and magnified lesions in one patient who did not require laparotomy after intestinal bypass. In other cases, laparoscopy was followed by minilaparotomy oriented to the lesions and stoma formation. There were no surgical complications attributable to the procedure, which was well tolerated in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy can be a useful tool for evaluation of lesions of NEC in cases of uncertain surgical indications. In our experience, it is well tolerated in neonates of low weight, allowing oriented minilaparotomies or even to avoid laparotomy.