Eight infants weighing less than 1500g underwent primary anastomosis for localized intestinal perforation due to necrotizing enterocolitis in 7 infants and meconium disease in one. The mean body weight was 1016g, the mean gestational age was 28 weeks, and the mean age at the time of operation was 11 days. All patients were diagnosed by free air on the abdominal roentgenograms. Intestinal perforation was observed in the terminal ileum in 7, and in the jejunum in one. Two babies died of postoperative sepsis without anastomotic leakage, and five have survived with adequate body weight gains due to early enteral feedings which started within 2 weeks after the operations. A recent case who is now one monthe after the operation has not yet observed enough body weight gain. It is easier and safer than was previously thought to achieve successful primary anastomosis for intestinal perforation in very low birth weight infants.
