Necrotizing enterocolitis in infants: risk factors and clinical outcomes. The role of peritoneal drainage in Bell’s Stage 2

Necrotizing enterocolitis is an emergency in neonatology and pediatric surgery. the aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the role of preventive abdominal drain in stage II nec in order to avoid clinical progression to stage III (intestinal perforation) Materials and methods: we prospectively treated 56 patients for NEC at stage II with two different management: peritoneal drain or wait and see, patients were selecteted with inclusion and exclusion criteria, we treat patients after parents consent. each patients underwent peritoneal drain under local anesthesia. data were collected for statistical analysis. results: after reviewing the medical charts our study showed that peritoneal drain in safe and effective to avoid the clinical progression to stage III.other important clinical aspect were described. Conclusions: peritoneal drain is safe and could be used as first treatment for stage II NEC to avoid clinical progression to stage III