Spontaneous resolution of colonic strictures caused by necrotizing enterocolitis: therapeutic implications

Colonic strictures are now a well recognized complication in infants surviving necrotizing enterocolitis. We describe the clinical course of seven infants with colonic strictures after necrotizing enterocolitis. Only two demonstrated the finding of fixed fibrotic stricture described in the literature, while the remaining five showed atypical radiographic and pathologic features. Two of the five showed partial or spontaneous resolution of post-necrotizing enterocolitis colonic stenoses on follow-up barium enema studies. In three of four patients with colonic resections, the histopathologic examination revealed a surprising absence of irreversible fibrosis or cicatrix formation. Current surgical practice dictates elective resection of these narrowed colonic segments. The radiologic and pathologic findings in our series of patients suggest surgical resection may be unnecessary in selected cases.