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[Intestinal occlusion by persistence of the omphalo-enteric conduct in a 10-year old child]
F Filip1, D G Goţia, S G Aprodu
1Facultatea de Medicină Clinica de Chirurgie şi Ortopedie Pediatrică, Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie Gr. T. Popa Iaşi.
Insights
Persistent omphalo-enteric duct (a remnant of fetal development) can cause intestinal obstruction in children. This rare condition requires surgical intervention for resolution, as seen in a 10-year-old boy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The omphalo-enteric duct typically obliterates after birth.
- Its persistence is a rare congenital anomaly.
- Common presentations include hemorrhage and intestinal obstruction, usually in infants.
Observation:
- A 10-year-old boy presented with symptoms initially mimicking acute appendicitis.
- During hospitalization, his condition progressed to intestinal occlusion.
- Surgical intervention was required.
Findings:
- Exploratory laparotomy revealed a mechanical intestinal obstruction.
- The obstruction was caused by a persistent omphalo-enteric duct.
- The condition was successfully treated using standard surgical protocols.
Implications:
- This case highlights that persistent omphalo-enteric duct should be considered in pediatric intestinal obstruction, even in older children.
- Early diagnosis and surgical management are crucial for favorable outcomes.
- It underscores the importance of considering rare congenital anomalies in pediatric surgical emergencies.
Abstract:
The persistence of the omphalo-enteric conduct is a rare, but possible, cause of pathology in children. Haemorrhage and intestinal occlusion are the most frequent clinical presentations, usually in infants. We describe the case of a 10 year old boy, who was admitted in our department for what seemed first to be an acute appendicitis. During hospitalization, the clinical picture turned on to an intestinal occlusion, and the patient finally required surgery. We performed exploratory laparotomy and we discovered a mechanical occlusion by persistence of the omphalo-enteric conduct, which was treated according to standard protocols. The post-operative course was good, and the child was discharged 8 days after surgery. This case emphasizes that the persistence of the omphalo-enteric conduct should be sought as the source of symptoms in any child presenting with intestinal occlusion.