Postoperative necrotising enterocolitis following incarcerated inguinal hernia repair

Abstract

The occurrence of postoperative necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is rare. In comparison with the commonly known inciting factors for the development of NEC, surgical stress as a cause of NEC is relatively uncommon. We report a case of incarcerated inguinal hernia in a preterm infant who clinically deteriorated in the postoperative period because of NEC following herniotomy. The patient’s clinical, biochemical and radiological features were suggestive of NEC, and the patient responded to the appropriate treatment based on the diagnosis. To conclude, incarcerated inguinal hernia should always be considered a causative factor for postoperative NEC.