Enteroscrotal Fistula in a Neonate following Incarcerated Inguinal Hernia

A month old, full-term 2.9 kg male baby, presented with history of passage of stool from the scrotal area for the last 8 days. The child was passing stool normally for the first 18 days of life. On day 19 of life, mother noticed a swelling in the right inguinoscrotal region. Baby started developing abdominal distension and constipation. They sought medical advice in their village on day 23 of life when the child started having fever, irritability, vomiting and progressive increase in the abdominal and inguinoscrotal swelling. On day 25 the child developed scrotal fistula with fecal discharge from it, following which the abdomen settled over next two days. They started feeding the baby and kept him at home for next 6 days due to financial constraints. Currently, he was passing stools exclusively though the scrotal fistula. On examination the child was active, crying, afebrile and with no signs of dehydration. Abdomen was soft, non-tender and bowel sound was present. There was swelling in the right inguino-scrotal region, and on palpation thickened cord with gurgling intestine could be palpated. Perineal examination revealed a fecal fistula on the right of median scrotal raphe with surrounding scrotal and perineal skin excoriation (Fig.1). Blood investigations were within normal limits. Right inguino-scrotal exploration was done till the fistulous opening, as the bowel was adhered to the fistula site. Thick hernia sac with small bowel as content was found. There was perforation in the ileum (20 cm proximal to ileocolic junction) leading to entero-scrotal fistula. Resection of 5 cm of ileum with end to end anastomosis was performed with repair of hernia. Right testis was edematous, though viable. Scrotal wound at fistula site was excised and inguino-scrotal wound was closed in layers. Post-operative period was uneventful and the child was discharged on 10th post-operative day.