Gastroschisis repair

Definition

Gastroschisis repair is surgery to correct a birth defect that causes an opening in the skin and muscles covering the belly (abdominal wall). The opening allows intestines and sometimes other organs to bulge outside the belly. The surgeon places the organs back inside the belly and closes the belly wall.

See also:

• Gastroschisis
• Omphalocele (a similar defect)
• Omphalocele repair

Alternative Names

Abdominal wall defect repair

Description

The goal of surgery is to place the organs back into the baby's belly and repair the defect, if possible. The surgeon will wait until your baby is stable to do surgery. This may take a week to 10 days. During this time, a plastic pouch, called a silo, will be used to return most of your baby's intestines and other organs into their belly.

When your child is ready for surgery, your baby will receive general anesthesia. This will make your baby unconscious and unable to feel pain during the operation.

• The surgeon will examine your baby's intestine (bowel) closely for signs of damage or other birth defects. Unhealthy parts will be removed, and the healthy edges will be stitched together.
• The surgeon will place any abdominal organs that are outside the belly back into the belly.
• The opening in the wall of the belly will be repaired, if possible.
• More surgery may be needed at a later time to repair the muscles in your baby's belly.

Risks

Risks for any anesthesia are:

• Allergic reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems

Risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Blood clots

Additional risks of gastroschisis repair are:

• Inflammation of the tissue that lines the wall of the abdomen and covers the abdominal organs
• Organ injury
• Temporary paralysis (muscles stop moving) of the small bowel
• Problems with digestion and absorbing nutrients from food, if a baby has a lot of damage to the small bowel
• Breathing problems if the baby's belly area (abdominal space) is smaller than normal. The baby may need a breathing tube and breathing machine for a few days or weeks after surgery.