Abstract
Meconium peritonitis is a sterile chemical peritonitis caused by bowel perforation
with intraperitoneal extravasation of the meconium in utero. When the inflamed intestinal
loops become fixed, meconium peritonitis leads to a cystic cavity with a fibrous wall,
and the result is termed cystic-type meconium peritonitis. On the contrary, a meconium pseudocyst has a muscle layer continuous with the normal
intestine and is distinguished from cystic-type meconium peritonitis based on the
histopathologic findings.
This report describes the rare case of a neonate complicated by a meconium pseudocyst,
which was successfully treated with 1-stage resection and primary anastomosis. There
have been few cases of meconium pseudocysts reported in the literature. Meconium peritonitis
should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients who develop large abdominal
cysts with air and fluid content.
Cystic-type meconium peritonitis is usually treated using drainage with subsequent
elective surgery. However, for a meconium pseudocyst, 1-stage intestinal resection
with primary anastomosis may be recommended. A meconium pseudocyst may be treatable
using 1-stage resection based on histopathologic features.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
November 18,
2011
Received in revised form:
November 18,
2011
Received:
April 18,
2011
Footnotes
☆This study was not supported by any grants.
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
