Abstract
Segmental dilatation of the intestine, characterized by a localized dilated intestinal area, is not associated with any mechanical obstruction or neurological abnormality. The clinical presentation of this anomaly in neonates is referred to as congenital segmental dilatation (CSD) of the intestine. Although resection of the dilated bowel segment is considered the standard treatment for CSD in patients with a dilated sigmoid colon, a few studies have shown the creation of a covering stoma or the Soave pull-through technique with resection of the dilated colon is effective in some patients. We report a case of CSD of the sigmoid colon diagnosed in a neonate who underwent abdominal decompression with elective primary surgery. A male neonate (birth weight, 2,274 g) was delivered at 37 weeks and 3 days of gestation. Plain abdominal radiography revealed intestinal dilatation, and he was transferred to our hospital at one day of age. Contrast-enhanced enema revealed segmental dilatation of the sigmoid colon with normal colonic diameters on the oral and anal aspects of a lesion. Periodic abdominal decompression did not result in enterocolitis, and he underwent primary surgery with resection of the dilated sigmoid colon, followed by end-to-end anastomosis at nine months of age. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged 10 days postoperatively. Currently, his body weight is steadily increasing nine months postoperatively, and he is undergoing outpatient follow-up.
