Prenatally diagnosed gastroschisis--a preliminary report advocating the use of elective caesarean section.

Abstract

Seven cases of prenatally diagnosed gastroschisis were evaluated. All infants were delivered by elective Caesarean section and brought to the operating theatre immediately after birth where the abdominal wall defect was closed within one hour post partum. Primary closure was easy and successful in all cases without widening of the defect and with the umbilicus left intact, because of the total lack of oedema and bowel peel. The average duration of postoperative total parenteral nutrition (7 days) and hospital stay (18 days) was significantly shorter in this prenatally diagnosed group compared to traditionally treated cases.