Intestinal Oxygenation and Survival After Surgery for Necrotizing Enterocolitis: An Observational Cohort Study

This observational study of 22 preterm infants demonstrates that preoperative intestinal oxygen saturation (rintSO2) measured by near-infrared spectroscopy strongly predicts survival after NEC surgery. Infants with rintSO2 >53% all survived, while those <53% all died, suggesting NIRS monitoring could aid surgical decision-making and parental counseling.