HOW URGENT IS THE OPERATION IN NEWBORNS W ITH ENTEROTHORAX

The emergency treatment of the enterothorax is problematic due to weak lung functions and unstable hemodynamics, and because it does not inf luence the stage of maturity of the lungs. By delayed operation childr en with a critical starting position have a greater chance to survive, after their condition has been stabilised by intensive care treatment . During the stabilising period we managed to decrease the FiO(2) leve l below 50% and to decrease the pCO(2) level to 43 +/- 13mm Hg in our patients (n=10). Furthermore we succeeded to raise the O-2 degree of s aturation from 72 +/- 13 to 89 +/- 9%. The pH level went up from 7,238 +/- 0,181 to 7,394 +/- 0,060. If the condition of the patients worsen s during the stabilising period - in our patients the stabilising peri od was between 12 and 24 hours - immediate operation is indicated. We have no experience so far in using ECMO in such situations.