Peritonitis meconial. Experiencia clínica

Abstract

Meconial Peritonitis (MP) is a chemical, sterile, inflammatory reaction of the visceral and parietal peritoneum, intestinal loops and mesenterium, produced by a prenatal intestinal perforation. MP can be classified into meconial ascitis, simple, fibroadhesive, and giant cyst. The natural evolution may follow various courses. Objective: Describe the spectrum of clinical presentation and management in a series of patients with MP. Patients and Methods: Retrospective study of patients with MP manageg between 2000 and 2009. Results: 5 patients were found: 1 giant cyst, 2 simple MP and 2 fibroadhesive. 4 required surgery. All required prokinetics and were fed early. Evolution was satisfactory in 4 (80%), one died in the neonatal stage. Discussion: Sonography and magnetic resonance (rarely) may provide the prenatal diagnosis. At birth, they must be closely observed to decide surgical management according to evolution. Spontaneous sealing of the perforation is seen in 1 of 5 (20%) in our series, reestablishing intestinal continuity without requiring surgery. Early feeding and prokinetics are basic elements in management. Conclusion: MP is a serious neonatal pathology, its morbidity and mortality may be decreased through adequate management in the neonatal period. Clinical observation should determine treatment, which ranges from spontaneous resolution to abdominal surgical repair with intestinal resection, ostomy or primary anastomosis.