Absolute indication for surgery in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) include

.(A). A surgeon should be consulted early in the course of treatment. Indications for surgery include evidence of perforation on abdominal roentgenograms (pneumoperitoneum) or positive result of abdominal paracentesis (stool or organism on Gram stain preparation from peritoneal fluid). Failure of medical management, a single fixed bowel loop on radiographs, abdominal wall erythema, and a palpable mass are relative indications for exploratory laparotomy