Complications and follow-up of gastroschisis

Twenty-seven patients with gastroschisis were seen at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital between 1960 and 1977. Twenty-five children were operated on either by primary closure, by skin closure alone, or by the insertion of a reinforced Silastic pouch or patch. The mortality rate has been reduced from 62% to 33% over the past 6 years. Despite better metabolic and respiratory care and intravenous alimentation, serious complications still occur, particularly when prematurity and associated anomalies such as atresia or meconium ileus exist. Other problems were respiratory complications, ileus, perforation, gangrene, intestinal obstruction, enterocolitis and disaccharide intolerance. The long-term follow-up of some of these patients is described.