Post-necrotising enterocolitis pseudo-obstruction treated with Cisapride

We report on one patient in whom segmental colic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO) following the surgical treatment of a grade III necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) was responsible for a severe failure to thrive. Further intestinal resection in an already short gut was avoided by using Cisapride, a new intestinal prokinetic agent (1 mg/kg/d in 4 doses, orally), which dramatically improved the symptoms and allowed weight gain and intestinal adaptation. After 6 months, Cisapride was withdrawn. IPO did not recur after 2 years of follow-up, although proximal distention persisted.