Richter's hernia in the neonate.

Three neonates with small bowel obstruction seen recently at Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital were found to have a Richter's hernia at laparotomy. In all cases Richter's hernia was at the internal inguinal ring. Two of them had suture of the hernial sac from within the abdomen at the time of laparotomy. These cases have been presented to emphasize the importance of considering Richter's hernia as a possible cause of small bowel obstruction in the neonate and also to indicate that the hernial sacs in such cases could be dealt with by suturing the sac from within the abdomen at the time of laparotomy.