Postoperative Necrotizing Enterocolitis Following Inguinal Hernia Repair in an Infant: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) following postoperative stress is a rare but life-threatening condition in infants. We report a 3-month-old infant who underwent bilateral inguinal hernia repair and developed NEC. This is the first reported case of an infant developing recurrent NEC with stricture formation after herniotomy. Timely recognition and management are vital due to potentially high mortality rates in severe cases. High index of suspicion is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.