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Initial Laparotomy Versus Peritoneal Drainage in Extremely Low Birthweight Infants With Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis or Isolated Intestinal Perforation: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Initial Laparotomy Versus Peritoneal Drainage in Extremely Low Birthweight Infants With Surgical Necrotizing Enterocolitis or Isolated Intestinal Perforation: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial

Martin L Blakely, Jon E Tyson, Kevin P Lally, Susan R Hintz, Barry Eggleston, David K Stevenson, Gail E Besner, Abhik Das, Robin K Ohls, William E Truog, …
Annals of surgery, Vol.274(4), pp.e370-e380
10/01/2021
DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000005099
PMCID: PMC8439547
PMID: 34506326
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/8439547View
Open Access

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine which initial surgical treatment results in the lowest rate of death or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in premature infants with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or isolated intestinal perforation (IP). The impact of initial laparotomy versus peritoneal drainage for NEC or IP on the rate of death or NDI in extremely low birth weight infants is unknown. We conducted the largest feasible randomized trial in 20 US centers, comparing initial laparotomy versus peritoneal drainage. The primary outcome was a composite of death or NDI at 18 to 22 months corrected age, analyzed using prespecified frequentist and Bayesian approaches. Of 992 eligible infants, 310 were randomized and 96% had primary outcome assessed. Death or NDI occurred in 69% of infants in the laparotomy group versus 70% with drainage [adjusted relative risk (aRR) 1.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.87-1.14]. A preplanned analysis identified an interaction between preoperative diagnosis and treatment group (P = 0.03). With a preoperative diagnosis of NEC, death or NDI occurred in 69% after laparotomy versus 85% with drainage (aRR 0.81; 95% CI: 0.64-1.04). The Bayesian posterior probability that laparotomy was beneficial (risk difference <0) for a preoperative diagnosis of NEC was 97%. For preoperative diagnosis of IP, death or NDI occurred in 69% after laparotomy versus 63% with drainage (aRR, 1.11; 95% CI: 0.95-1.31); Bayesian probability of benefit with laparotomy = 18%. There was no overall difference in death or NDI rates at 18 to 22 months corrected age between initial laparotomy versus drainage. However, the preoperative diagnosis of NEC or IP modified the impact of initial treatment.
Drainage Feasibility Studies Enterocolitis, Necrotizing - mortality Enterocolitis, Necrotizing - psychology Enterocolitis, Necrotizing - surgery Female Humans Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight Infant, Newborn Infant, Premature Infant, Premature, Diseases - mortality Infant, Premature, Diseases - psychology Infant, Premature, Diseases - surgery Intestinal Perforation - mortality Intestinal Perforation - psychology Intestinal Perforation - surgery Laparotomy Male Neurodevelopmental Disorders - diagnosis Neurodevelopmental Disorders - epidemiology Survival Rate Treatment Outcome

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