Background Intestinal barrier dysfunction has been implicated in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), but has not been directly measured in human NEC. Methods Small intestines removed during surgery were immediately mounted in an Ussing chamber. mRNA expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins was measured with RT-PCR. Results Fifteen infants were included, 5 with NEC and 10 with other diagnoses. Average transepithelial resistance (TER) was 11.61 ± 1.65 Ω/cm2 in NEC specimens, 23.36 ± 1.48 Ω/cm2 at resection margin, and 46.48 ± 5.65 Ω/cm2 in controls. Average flux of permeability marker mannitol was 0.23 ± 0.06 μMol/cm2 per h in NEC, 0.04 ± 0.01 μMol/cm2 per h at resection margin, and 0.017 ± 0.004 μMol/cm2 per h in control tissue (p < 0.05). RT-PCR analysis showed marked decrease in mRNA expression of a TJ protein occludin in NEC affected tissue (p < 0.03 vs. control). Additionally, mRNA expression of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), an important regulator of TJ permeability, was increased in NEC specimens. Conclusion These studies show for the first time that NEC intestinal tissue have increased intestinal permeability, even at grossly healthy-appearing resection areas. The increase in intestinal permeability in NEC appeared to be related in part to a decrease in occludin and an increase in MLCK expression. Level of evidence Level 2.

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Acute celiac artery compression after surgical kyphosis correction is a rare but potentially serious adverse event. Spinal deformity surgeons and intensivists should be aware of this entity, and should have a high index of suspicion for it if sepsis of unknown origin, an acute abdomen, or elevated liver enzymes are encountered after surgery after correction of a kyphotic deformity.

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Multiprobe ablations using RFA are promising technologies that need further study to evaluate their clinical utility.