Ruptured giant omphalocele with congenital short small intestine: a case report

Area of Science:

• Neonatal surgery
• Pediatric surgery
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Omphalocele, a congenital abdominal wall defect, can present with gastrointestinal anomalies.
• Congenital short small intestine is a rare but serious complication associated with omphalocele.
• Effective management strategies are crucial for improving outcomes in these complex cases.

Observation:

• A case of a ruptured giant omphalocele was observed.
• The patient also had a congenital short small intestine, complicating the initial presentation.
• The rupture presented significant challenges for surgical repair and postoperative care.

Findings:

• Vacuum-sealing drainage demonstrated efficacy in promoting wound healing post-omphalocele repair.
• Carboxymethylcellulose silver dressing contributed to successful wound management.
• These methods successfully avoided abdominal compartment syndrome and minimized the need for further surgical interventions.

Implications:

• Vacuum sealing and silver dressings offer a promising approach for managing ruptured omphaloceles, especially with concurrent short bowel syndrome.
• This case highlights the importance of innovative wound care in preventing severe complications like abdominal compartment syndrome.
• The findings suggest a potential paradigm shift in the perioperative management protocols for complex omphalocele cases.