AT THE TURN of this century, Frédet, Rommstedt, and Heller1-3 essentially established the worth and use of myotomy in the intestinal tract to overcome specific obstructions. The success of pyloromyotomy need not be discussed.
However, myotomy need not stop with only its application to the esophagogastric junction and the pylorus. In any given instance in which there is obstruction, partial or complete, by a nonmalignant process, involving a short enough segment so that peristaltic action need not be considered, an intestinal myotomy may be applicable. If resection and anastomosis seem preferable and are practical, then they should be done. Should the situation require expediency and an anastomosis wished to be avoided, then myotomy should be considered in any portion of the intestinal tract.
Report of Case
On May 20, 1964, a six-pound term infant was seen five minutes after delivery with a matted, edematous, in utero rupture of an