Surgical treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis and the short bowel syndrome.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common surgical emergency of newborns and the most common cause of short bowel syndrome in infancy. The surgical treatment of NEC is reviewed, including indications for operation, surgical procedures, postoperative management and complications, and survival. The causes, pathophysiology, and treatment of short bowel syndrome are also discussed.