Gangrenous intestine in a hernia can be reduced.

A 3-month-old former 31-week premature triplet presented with a perforated terminal ileum 36 hours after complete reduction of an incarcerated inguinal hernia. Classic pediatric surgery teaching asserts that gangrenous bowel in an inguinal hernia will not reduce. In this case, gangrenous bowel was reduced and proceeded to perforate after reduction. Though extremely rare, it is possible to reduce gangrenous bowel, and disposition requires reliable observation at home or hospitalization, if circumstances warrant.