[Gastroschisis. Management. 50 cases].

OBJECTIVE

Demonstrate the need for a multidisciplinary antenatal approach to laparoschisis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective series of 50 children who underwent surgery for laparoschisis between 1975 and 1994 in the Infant Surgery Department of the Strasbourg University Hospitals. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated as a function of the stage of laparoschisis and surgical technique. Follow-up was also examined.

RESULTS

Depending on the periods evaluated, ultrasound diagnosis varied from 16 to 92% and was made at 21 weeks gestation on the average. Lesions observed were atresia of the bowel (10%), complete intestinal involution (2%), and perivisceritis (88%). Complete parietal closure was achieved after bowel emptying in 58% of the newborns. Postoperative mortality, usually in vere severe forms, fell from 46% to 15% over the 20-years study period.

CONCLUSION

Antenatal echography can confirm the diagnosis of laparoschisis. It can be used to define risk factors (size, bowel dilatation(s), mesenteric blood flow) allowing planned extraction in an Infantile Surgery Unit. This multidisciplinary attitude should help to improve overall outcome.