Elective surgery for cystic meconium peritonitis: report of two cases

The cases of two infants with prenatally diagnosed cystic meconium peritonitis, who underwent minimal surgical procedure (drainage) first and elective surgery later, are reported. Just after birth tube drains were inserted under local anesthesia with ultrasonographic guidance. They underwent laparotomy, at 16 days in case 1 and at 20 days in case 2. The adhesions were quite easily dissected, ileal atresia was found, and the intestines were safely primarily anastomosed. In cystic meconium peritonitis, radical surgery in the early neonatal period is usually difficult, so many patients require second or third operations. We recommend cyst drainage just after birth and elective surgery later.