Clifford C. Marr

Management of patent ductus arteriosus: a comparison of operative v pharmacologic treatment.

Over a 5-year period ending June 1986, 183 premature infants with evidence of a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) associated with cardiopulmonary compromise underwent pharmacologic and/or surgical ductal manipulation. One hundred seven infants underwent surgical ligation and 76 initially received indomethacin. The average birth weight was 10% less and 1 week less for the surgically treated v the indomethacin-treated infants. Among the infants undergoing ligation, there were no failures of therapy and one surgically related complication. Among the infants receiving indomethacin, 42% failed to improve, and 84% of these infants required surgical intervention. Those infants who failed indomethacin therapy in general weighed less, had a shorter gestation and required prolonged ventilatory support. In no instance was death directly attributable to either therapeutic modality. Our data suggest that surgical ligation of hemodynamically significant PDA yields a more predictable result with low morbidity and no mortality. We believe it is the preferred treatment for premature infants less than 800 g.

Meconium obstruction in the markedly premature infant

Markedly premature infants may present with intestinal obstruction and perforation secondary to inspissated meconium in the absence of cystic fibrosis. Between 1990 and 1994, 13 patients were treated for intestinal obstruction secondary to inspissated meconium. The average birth weight was 760 g. Prenatal and postnatal risk factors were identified, and included intrauterine growth retardation, maternal hypertension, prolonged administration of tocolytics, patent ductus arteriosus, hyaline membrane disease, and intraventricular hemorrhage. Stooling was absent or infrequent during the first 2 weeks of life. Surgical presentation consisted of distension and/or perforation between days 2 and 17 of life. Twelve patients required operative intervention. Findings invariably included one or more obstructing meconium plugs with proximal distension and frequent necrosis of the dilated segments. Surgical options consisted of resection or enterotomy, accompanied by primary closure or by distal irrigation and exteriorization. Irrigation led to iatrogenic bowel injury in two patients. One patient was managed successfully with oral and rectal gastrograffin and oral acetylcysteine. Ten patients were discharged, all of whom had normal stooling patterns and tested negatively for cystic fibrosis. Three patients died, two from the primary disease. The markedly premature infant is at risk for obstruction and eventual perforation secondary to meconium plugs, presumably formed in conjunction with intestinal dysmotility. Prompt diagnosis and timely intervention require a high index of suspicion, attention to stooling patterns and abdominal examinations, and screening radiographs when indicated.

Outpatient inguinal herniorrhaphy in premature infants: is it safe?

Because postoperative apnea and bradycardia in premature infants following inguinal herniorrhaphy remains a concern, outpatient repair has not been recommended. We have been performing outpatient inguinal herniorrhaphy in premature infants and the present study reviews our experience. Between 1985 and 1990, 1,294 outpatient inguinal herniorrhaphies were performed. Of this group 124 patients (9.6%) were identified as being premature (less than or equal to 36 weeks gestational age). Average ages were: gestational age 32.7 weeks (range, 24 to 36 weeks); postnatal age 12.6 weeks (range, 3 to 24 weeks); and postconceptional age (gestational plus postnatal) 45.3 weeks (range, 34 to 59 weeks). Twenty-two infants previously required ventilatory support, 11 patients had apnea/bradycardia, and 9 patients developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia. General anesthesia (usually nitrous oxide and fluothane) was used in all patients and 75% underwent endotracheal intubation. The average operating room time was 40 minutes (range, 20 to 115 minutes) and the average recovery room time was 94 minutes (range, 30 to 240 minutes). There were no perioperative deaths. One patient became apneic immediately after extubation in the operating room. No further episodes were noted after 4 hours of observation. Another patient following discharge had a brief apneic episode at home while on an apnea monitor, which was relieved with gentle stimulation. Both patients had no further sequelae. Bradycardia to 80 beats/min was noted in two patients, and resolved spontaneously in the recovery room. Laryngospasm after extubation in the operating room occurred in two patients, one of whom required brief reintubation and the other resolved spontaneously. Two patients required postoperative ventilation: one was extubated in the recovery room and the other was hospitalized for 24 hours.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Infants undergoing pyloromyotomy are not at risk for postoperative apnea

Thirty term infants undergoing general anesthesia and pyloromyotomy had pre‐ and postoperative sleep studies to determine whether these infants were at risk for postoperative apnea.

Biliary obstruction in infants with cystic fibrosis requiring Kasai portoenterostomy

Cystic fibrosis is associated with an inspissated bile syndrome producing cholestasis secondary to plugging of macroscopically normal bile ducts. In extreme neonatal forms, with early profound intrahepatic cholestasis, the process can be associated with a marked decrease in ductal diameter, varying from hypoplasia to atresia. From 1990 to 1995 three infants were identified with cystic fibrosis, persistent jaundice, and complete absence of biliary excretion despite expectant and conservative treatment including choleretics and surgical biliary irrigation. Abdominal ultrasounds showed contracted gallbladders and no evidence of dilated ducts. Liver biopsy results in two infants showed portal fibrosis, paucity of bile ducts, and minimal inflammation. The third infant had moderate inflammation, bile duct replication, and plugging. Two infants had undergone intestinal resection followed by hyperalimenation for complications of meconium ileus in the newborn period. Surgical exploration was undertaken at 7 to 12 weeks of age. Gross findings were typical of biliary atresia with microgallbladders and nonpatency of the cystic duct. Cholangiograms failed to document ductal patency in two patients who were then treated with a Kasai portoenterostomy. The third infant had patent hypoplastic ducts and underwent only biliary irrigation. Although bile flow was transiently achieved, jaundice recurred, and at reexploration at 16 weeks of age a Kasai poroenterostomy was performed. Histological review of the biliary specimens showed microscopically patent ducts in two patients and proximal patency and distal atresia in the third. All the ducts had mural fibrosis with cystic changes. Bile drainage was achieved in each instance, although in one patient with hypoplastic ducts scant output of highly concentrated bile proved insufficient to arrest progressive liver failure. The subsequent two patients responded with resolution of hyperbilirubinemia and normalization of liver function. They remain free of biliary complications at 30 and 40 months postoperatively. This manifestation of cystic fibrosis in infants is suggested by prolonged jaundice unresponsive to choleretics, nondilated bile ducts and gallbladder on ultrasound, absent biliary excretion on nuclear scan, and characteristic liver biopsy. Exploration is warranted, and discovery of atrophic bile ducts may be best managed with reconstruction.

Association of closure of patent ductus arteriosus and development of necrotizing enterocolitis

Over a 5-year period ending in June 1986, 234 neonates with evidence of a significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) underwent ductal manipulation. Thirty-four infants (15%) developed evidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). When NEC and treatment of PDA were within 72 hours of each other, there was a 71% mortality rate. When NEC and PDA ligation were greater than 72 hours apart, there were no deaths. Development of NEC prior to ductal closure was associated with a mortality of 57%, as opposed to no mortality when the development of NEC occurred after ductal closure. Our data suggest that infants who develop NEC before PDA ligation incur a high mortality.