Ventricular fibrillation in an ex-premature neonate following reperfusion of ischemic gut incarcerated within an inguinal hernia.

We describe the case of a neonate who underwent surgery for bowel obstruction. The child was born at 25 weeks postconception, and at the time of surgery, he had a postconceptual age of 44 weeks. He had undergone two previous laparotomy procedures for necrotizing enterocolitis. At laparotomy, there was unexpected extensive compromise to gut perfusion. The child developed ventricular fibrillation following the reperfusion of a segment of ischemic gut found incarcerated in an inguinal hernial orifice. We discuss the pathophysiology of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury. We have reviewed the interventions that may be employed to minimize the systemic impact of I-R.