2007 Volume 43 Issue 1 Pages 58-61
We report a case of an extremely low-birth-weight infant with ileal obstruction caused by usage of an umbilical ligation ring. A female baby was born after a gestation of 25 weeks, weighing 798g. The umbilicus was ligated using a ring. The baby developed gradual abdominal distension, followed by bile vomiting at the age of 18 days, and she was referred to our hospital. Emergent laparotomy was performed for bowel obstruction. Volvulus cased by adhesion of the terminal ileum to umbilicus was observed. Ileal resection and primary anastomosis was performed. However, the second laparotomy for anastomotic leakage on the 3rd postoperative day disclosed a deeply buried ligation ring in the umbilicus. By examination of intraoperative pictures at the initial operation, it was confirmed that the terminal ileum was pinched in the ligation ring at the umbilicus. This complication is extremely rare, but should be borne in mind in the case of using an umbilical ligation ring.
