Peritoneal drainage as definitive treatment for neonates with isolated intestinal perforation

Background/Purpose: To better define the indications for peritoneal drainage (PD) in premature babies with intestinal perforation, the authors reviewed their experience with this procedure in a tertiary neonatal intensive care setting. Methods: The charts of all neonates who underwent PD as initial treatment for intestinal perforation between 1996 and 1999 were reviewed. Those patients with pneumatosis intestinalis on abdominal radiograph had perforated necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) diagnosed; whereas, those infants with no pneumatosis had isolated intestinal perforation diagnosed. The clinical characteristics and outcomes of these 2 groups were compared. Results: Twenty-one premature neonates had primary PD between 1996 and 1999, 10 for isolated intestinal perforation and 11 for perforated NEC. Patients with isolated intestinal perforation had lower birth weights (708 v 949 g; P