UNASSIGNED: As an end stoma, Santulli enterostomy provides early restoration of intestinal continuity without formal laparotomy. Short amputation of the common limb enables closure on a side to restore anatomic continuity without sacrificing valuable intestine; additionally, the procedure is simple and safe. Most newborns who require enterostomy might benefit from Santulli enterostomy; however, several pediatric surgeons lack information regarding this procedure. Therefore, we have reviewed our experience about Santulli enterostomy and explore the advantages and indications in neonatal intestinal conditions.
UNASSIGNED: The clinical data of 76 neonates who underwent enterostomywere obtained. The patients were divided into two groups: the Santulli group with 33 cases who underwent Santulli enterostomy, and the control group with 43 cases who underwent double- or single-lumen ostomy. The general data of the two groups were analyzed, and the perioperative/postoperative complications, clinical data and the long-term outcomes were compared.
UNASSIGNED: There was no difference in the demographic informations, the level of enterostomy, the rate of high-sight stoma, the operative time and bleeding of enterostomy between the two groups. Compared to the control group, the operative time of ostomy closure was less in the Santulli group (53.00 vs. 152.47, P < 0.001). The duration of parenteral nutrition (27.45 vs. 44.56, P = 0.010), the mean interval of initial enterostomy to stomal closure (131.21 vs. 216.42, P < 0.001), and length of stay (46.00 vs. 67.60, P = 0.007) were shorter, while the incidence of postoperative complications and hospitalization costs (11.21 vs. 15.49, P = 0.006) were lower. The Santulli procedure can reduce the morbidity of high output ostomy (2 vs. 10, P = 0.042) and short bowel syndrome (3 vs. 132, P = 0.025), shorten the discrepancy of diameter between the proximal and distal segments, maximize the available intestine, and monitor the movement of the distal bowel. The length of incision was shorter, and the catch-up growth was significantly faster in the Santulli group.
UNASSIGNED: Santulli enterostomy is a superior procedure in the treatment of neonatal intestinal conditions, in terms of fewer complications, faster catch-up growth, shorter hospitalization time and treatment duration. It should be the procedure of choice in several newborns with intestinal conditions that require ostomy.

BACKGROUND: Immaturity of ganglia (IG) is an extremely rare disease and always requires surgical intervention in the neonatal period, but without guidelines to choose the ideal enterostomy procedure, the timing of stoma closure remains controversial. The aim of this study was to report our experience using Santulli enterostomy for the treatment of nine infants diagnosed with IG.
METHODS: Patients who underwent Santulli enterostomy and were diagnosed with IG in our center between 2016 and 2021 were retrospectively studied. Temporary stoma occlusion and a 24-h delayed film of barium enema (BE) were performed to evaluate intestinal peristalsis function to determine the timing of stoma closure. The demographic data, clinical and radiological findings, stoma occlusion and stoma closure results were explored.
RESULTS: A total of 9 infants underwent Santulli enterostomy and were diagnosed with IG postoperatively. Their median gestational age at birth was 36 weeks (range 31-42), and their median birth weight was 2765 g (range 1300-3400). All patients had symptom onset in the neonatal period, including abdominal distension and biliary vomiting. Eight patients showed obvious small bowel dilatation in the plain films, except for one patient\'s films that suggested gastrointestinal perforation with free gas downstream of the diaphragm. BE was performed in 6 patients, all of which had microcolons. The median age at operation was 3 days (range 1-23). Seven patients had an obvious transitional zone (TZ) during laparotomy, and the position of the TZ was 25-100 cm proximal above the ileocecal (IC) valve. Immature ganglion cells were present in the colon in 7 patients and the terminal ileum in 6 patients. The median age of successful stoma occlusion was 5 M (range 2-17) and 8 M (range 4-22) at ostomy closure. There was little or no barium residue in the 24-h delayed film of BE before stoma closure, and all patients were free of constipation symptoms during the follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: Santulli enterostomy appears to be a suitable and efficient procedure for IG, combined with temporary stoma occlusion and 24-h delayed film of BE to evaluate the recovery of intestinal peristalsis function.