Neonatal gastric perforation in a premature newborn: a case report

Abstract

Gastric perforation is a rare but highly lethal surgical problem in neonates, especially in preterm and low birth weight infants. The mechanisms of occurrence are still not fully understood. We present a case of successful surgical treatment of a two-day-old premature girl with a burdened history, born and operated on in a perinatal center. A child with a preliminary diagnosis of perforation of a hollow organ, established according to X-ray data, underwent preliminary peritoneal drainage at the first stages. The final diagnosis of gastric perforation was established intraoperatively. After the detection of extensive necrosis of the anterior wall of the stomach with perforation at the border with the pyloric region and a rupture along the greater curvature, suturing of the pinpoint perforation and rupture with plastic surgery of the anterior wall of the stomach with local tissues, gastro- and gastroenterostomy, and drainage of the abdominal cavity was performed. Given the concomitant prematurity, at the age of 1 month 19 days of life, the child was able to return home clinically healthy.