Meconium ileus: a fifteen-year experience with forty-two neonates

From 1969 to 1984, 42 neonates were managed for meconium ileus caused by cystic fibrosis. Simple, uncomplicated meconium ileus occurred in 24 infants (57%) and complicated meconium ileus occurred in 18 (43%). Meglumine diatrizoate (Gastrografin) enema completely relieved the obstruction in 13 patients with simple meconium ileus (54%) and caused colonic and rectal perforations in three (13%). Six operative procedures were used in 29 patients: double enterostomy (seven), resection with primary anastomosis (seven), Bishop-Koop enterostomy (seven), intraluminal lavage (four), colostomy (three), and Mikulicz enterostomy (one). Postoperative complications included malabsorptive diarrhea (nine), pneumonia (three), intestinal obstruction (two), total parenteral nutrition-catheter sepsis (two), and anastomotic leak (one). Infants managed nonoperatively by Gastrografin enema had a significantly shorter hospitalization (average, 15 days) than those undergoing operation for simple meconium ileus (54 days) and complicated meconium ileus (111 days). Postoperative survival rate was 100% with a late survival rate of 86%.