[Disturbed postoperative course in the treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) (author's transl)]

The necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is marked by three stages, each of which has characteristic clinical symptoms and radiological findings. The management and prognosis are different in each stage. The experiences we got from 27 patients, seen in 5 years, are demonstrated and the typical postoperative complications are analysed. The conclusion can be reached that NEC has the best prognosis by a conservative treatment in stages I and II, and that a surgical approach is indicated when stage III turns into stage IV.