[Perinatal medicine study group. Diagnosis and therapy of ventral schistasis]

Reported in this paper are twelve cases of ventral schistasis transferred for cooperative prenatal assessment, diagnosis, and therapy to the Berlin Charité Hospital of Gynaecology and Obstetrics in 1985 and 1986. Concomitant malformations were recorded from eight in ten omphaloceles. Three of these children were delivered on full term by spontaneous parturition or caesarean section. They were surgically treated immediately after birth. Gastroschisis was recorded from two pregnancies with ventral schistasis. No generally valid recommendation can be given for approach to ventral schistasis. The approach should rather be interdisciplinary and should be preceded by careful diagnosis. Parents should be involved in decision-making.