Postoperative necrotizing enterocolitis due to incarcerated inguinal hernia in a preterm infant at term age equivalent

Abstract

Major neonatal surgeries have been well reported to be associated with postoperative development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Incarcerated inguinal hernia has been rarely reported to develop postoperative NEC in infant. We report a case of postoperative NEC in a preterm infant at term equivalent age with incarcerated inguinal hernia. The infant developed abdominal distension, bilious gastric residue, and bleeding per rectum on day 3 postoperative period followed by pneumatosis intestinalis and pneumoperitoneum subsequently. Clinical, biochemical, hematological, and radiological findings were suggestive of postoperative NEC. In conclusion, incarcerated inguinal hernia should be included in the accusatory factors for the development of postoperative NEC in infants.