An experimental study on gastroschisis using fetal surgery.

Gastroschisis models were successfully created in three groups of fetal rabbits by means of fetal surgery. Anatomical and pathologic assessments were carried out on the neonates that had experimental gastroschisis. In group I surgery was performed on the fetuses of 21 days gestational age; in group II on the fetuses of 23 days; and in group III on the fetuses of 26 days, respectively. Five cases of experimental gastroschisis were made in each group. The body weights of those with gastroschisis were low as compared with those of normal neonates. Intestinal length decreased and wall thickness increased as the result of 5--10 days evisceration. Abdominal cavity decreased in volume in all cases and could not accommodate the eviscerated organs. The number and density of distal mesenteric vessels (vasa recta) was high in the shortened intestine in gastroschisis models. Therefore it can be reasonably assumed that the intestine is only contracted and the possibility of return to normal length remains.