Researchers have found Santulli enterostomy to be a promising and effective surgical intervention for neonates suffering from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), potentially improving recovery and nutritional outcomes for these vulnerable patients.
NEC is the leading gastrointestinal emergency among neonates, posing significant risks including intestinal perforation and high mortality rates. Traditional surgical treatments often yield poor prognoses, compelling researchers to explore less common methods such as Santulli enterostomy (SE).
Conducted at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, this study involved 110 neonates diagnosed with NEC, comparing outcomes between SE and conventional enterostomy (CE) procedures. Results revealed no significant differences in overall complication rates between the two groups, but the SE group exhibited significantly lower operation times, hospitalization durations, and required fewer surgical interventions.
After monitoring the clinical outcomes, the researchers noted distinct advantages associated with Santulli enterostomy. "Although the stoma was positioned higher in the SE group, the length of the unused small intestine (USI) was not significantly different,” the authors remarked, highlighting the operational effectiveness of the SE technique.
The analysis showed the SE method facilitated quicker recovery of gastrointestinal functions, potentially enhancing the patients' nutritional status—a key factor, as malnutrition post-surgery is common among NEC patients. The median distance of the stoma location from the ileocecal region was significantly greater (20 cm for SE vs. 10 cm for CE), which may contribute to improved nutrient absorption.
Statistical evaluations underscored the SE's efficiency, with multivariate analysis demonstrating the length of the USI as an independent risk factor influencing outcomes related to malnutrition (OR = 1.108, P = 0.008). This finding suggested SE not only sustains intestinal structure but also potentially prolongs the length of functional intestine retained after surgery.
The surgical team noted the operations could maintain intestinal continuity, promoting recovery by normalizing intestinal flow and digestive processes postoperatively. This aspect is particularly relevant for neonates, who may face severe nutritional deficits during recovery attempts.
Despite these promising results, the need for more extensive future research is evident, as the study acknowledges limitations inherent to its retrospective design. The authors indicate, "Santulli enterostomy is not only safe but also presents itself as a beneficial option for NEC treatment, highlighting its capacity for enhancing postoperative recovery and reducing complications related to stoma closures." They concluded their findings by calling for wider adoption of SE among practitioners dealing with neonatal surgical crises.