Closure of gastroschisis by mesh skin grafts in problem cases

Closure of gastroschisis can be achieved by primary adaptation of the abdominal wall, by implanting a dura patch or by covering the protruding gut with a silastic pouch. In the Pediatric Surgical Department of the University of Innsbruck this last method was used in 14 of 18 cases during the last 8 years. In three children multiple complications and infection resulted in the necessary removal of the silastic pouch from the still protruding gut. Lacking any other alternative, the defect was covered with mesh skin grafts, which took well and permanently closed the abdominal wall.