Pediatr Emerg Med J.  2023 Jul;10(3):104-106. 10.22470/pemj.2023.00703.

An infant case of ruptured umbilical hernia with eviscerated omentum after acupuncture

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung University College of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea
  • 2Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung University College of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea

Abstract

Serious acupuncture-related complications are rare in infants. We experienced a case of a 58-day-old infant with an umbilical hernia who received acupuncture from a non-professional guardian. Upon initial examination in the emergency department, the omentum protruded through the skin defect caused by acupuncture performed on top of the hernia. The infant underwent emergency surgery, and subsequently recovered uneventfully.

Keyword

Abdominal Pain; Acupuncture; Emergency Medicine; Hernia, Umbilical; Infant

Figure

  • Fig. 1. Evisceration of the viable omentum through a 1 cm-sized skin defect overlying a preexisting umbilical hernia.

  • Fig. 2. A plain radiograph showing an umbilical hernia (black arrow) with a radiopaque protruded omentum (white arrow).


Reference

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