In this prospective study, 18 consecutive cases of neonatal necrotizing entercolitis (NNEC) perforation were managed in two modalities. In the first group, 5 cases were treated with surgery consisting of excision of involved bowel segment and enterostomy as primary management. None of the babies survived.

Peritoneal drainage was used in the second group of 13 cases as primary procedure. Seven infants (54%) survived without any further operative procedure. six infants (46%) died. Three of them required laparotomy because of progressive deterioration or ineffective drainage.

The result of this study is encouraging in terms of survival with simple and cost effective primary peritoneal drainange (PPD).

Keywords:  Peritoneal drainage, necrotizing enterocolitis.

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