OBJECTIVETo evaluate the high-risk factors, prognostic factors, and operation time for surgical intervention in the treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in neonates.

METHODSSixty-two NEC neonates who received treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit from October 2001 to October 2011 were enrolled. Patients were assigned to surgery (n=20) and non-surgery groups (n=42). The two groups were compared with respect to general data, complications, clinical symptoms, laboratory examination results, treatment and prognosis.

RESULTSCompared with non-surgery group, the surgery group had significantly higher rates of respiratory distress syndrome, gurgling sound disappearance, C-reactive protein increase, platelet count decrease, positive blood culture, pneumoperitoneum and fixed intestinal loop on X-ray, and mechanical ventilation (P<0.05). Cured patients in the surgery group had significantly lower rates of circulation failure and multiple bowel perforations than patients who died (P<0.05), as shown by the prognostic factor analysis. Of the 20 patients in the surgery group, 19 (95%) underwent operation within one week after diagnosis of NEC and 15 survived the operation.

CONCLUSIONSThere are multiple risk factors in surgical intervention for NEC. Bowel lesions and circulation failure are associated with postoperative prognosis. The operation is usually performed within one week after diagnosis of NEC.