Left-sided Gastroschisis Research Articles

Testicular proximity can induce gubernaculum formation after delivery

Purpose: This paper presents the hypothesis that after delivery as late as 38 weeks' gestation, a testis placed near the internal ring can induce the formation of a gubernaculum and undergo a belated but otherwise normal descent. Methods: Two boys with a gastroschisis were each born with one of their testes prolapsed through the defect. The testis was sutured just lateral to the deep inferior epigastric vessels at the time of the primary closure of the gastroschisis. Results: One boy born at 34 weeks had his left testis prolapsed through a left-sided gastroschisis defect. At 3 months, he was admitted to the hospital with a large left inguinal hernia. The repair was complicated by the presence of a large mass of jellylike tissue extending through the internal ring to the upper scrotum. A second boy was born at 38 weeks' gestation. The testis made its way uneventfully into the right hemiscrotum by 10 months of age. Conclusion: These cases suggest that testicular proximity is a critical factor in the formation of the gubernaculum and that the testis can induce the formation of the gubernaculum as late as 38 weeks gestation. J Pediatr Surg 36:1708-1709. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.

Iatrogenic gastroschisis decreases pulmonary hypoplasia in an ovine congenital diaphragmatic hernia model.

Pulmonary hypoplasia is a major problem in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Intrauterine reparative procedures are associated with a high complication rate. The development of less complex operations to reduce the degree of fetal lung hypoplasia may improve neonatal survival. Our objective was to investigate the effectiveness of an iatrogenic gastroschisis in reducing fetal pulmonary hypoplasia in a sheep model with an artificially created diaphragmatic hernia. A left-sided diaphragmatic hernia (Bochdalek type) was created at 75 days' gestation in an ovine fetal model during the pseudoglandular phase of lung development. At 110 days' gestational age, a left-sided gastroschisis was created by excising part of the lower abdominal wall and buttressing the opening with a rubber ring. The fetus remained in utero until 135 days' gestation, at which time it was sacrificed for autopsy. Histopathologic and morphometric studies were performed on the lungs. Ten animals had creation of a diaphragmatic hernia. Four underwent the second surgery to create a gastroschisis. One animal completed the entire protocol, 3 fetuses aborted after the second surgery. Autopsy confirmed effective decompression of the herniated abdominal contents from the chest into the amniotic cavity in all 4 cases. The lungs of the animal that completed the protocol were appropriately developed, while those fetuses that died soon after gastroschisis creation had severe pulmonary hypoplasia, mainly involving the left lung. Artificially induced diaphragmatic hernia, in the ovine fetus, causes severe pulmonary hypoplasia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Left-sided gastroschisis

The clinical course and anatomic findings of a baby girl born with left-sided gastroschisis are described.