Gastroschisis repair

Alternative Names: Abdominal wall defect repair

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

Description of Procedure

The goal of surgery is to place the organs back into the baby's belly and fix the defect, if possible. The surgeon will wait until your baby is stable enough to have 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 the belly.

When ready for surgery, your baby will receive general anesthesia. This will make your baby asleep and pain-free 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 all 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 of Gastroschisis repair

Risks for any anesthesia are:

• Allergic reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems

Risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Blood clots

Other risks of gastroschisis repair are:

• 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.
• Inflammation of tissues that line the wall of the abdomen and cover the abdominal organs
• Organ injury
• Problems with digestion and absorbing nutrients from food, if a baby has a lot of damage to the small bowel
• Temporary paralysis (muscles stop moving) of the small bowel

Gastroschisis repair - series

Review Date: 1/24/2011
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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