In Chennai, doctors have achieved a medical milestone by performing a rare hernia surgery on a critically premature baby boy, diagnosed with Amyand’s hernia—a condition where the appendix is found in the groin. This case is notable as it marks only the fourth recorded instance globally of such a condition.
The baby, born prematurely at just 28 weeks to Manju, a housewife, and Moorthy, a daily wage laborer, underwent the life-saving surgery on his 23rd day. The procedure, carried out under general anesthesia, was critical due to the infant’s fragile health and the complexity of the hernia.
Dr. Saravana Balaji from SRM Global Hospitals explained that while neonatal hernias are not uncommon in preterm infants, Amyand’s hernia is extremely rare, affecting only about 0.42% of these cases. The presence of a perforated appendix is even more uncommon, occurring in just 0.1% of Amyand’s hernia cases, with only three such instances documented worldwide.
The surgery was challenging due to the baby’s immature airway, making anesthesia difficult, and the low birth weight required specialized postoperative care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Despite these hurdles, the operation, which lasted an hour, was a success.
Following the surgery, the baby showed significant progress, gaining weight to reach 2.06 kg. He was discharged in good condition, highlighting the skill and precision of the surgical team in managing such a rare and complex case.
The successful outcome underscores the exceptional expertise of the medical team and the advanced care provided by SRM Global Hospitals, marking a significant achievement in neonatal surgery.