Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Transtubular Endoscopic Posterolateral Decompression for L5-S1 Lumbar Lateral Disc Herniation
Published on: October 14, 2022
Giant Gastroschisis with Complete Liver Herniation: A Case Report of Two Patients
Wendy Jo Svetanoff1, Benjamin Zendejas1, Farokh R Demehri1
1Department of General Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Fegan 3, Boston MA 20115, USA.
Insights
This case report details the first survivor of gastroschisis with complete liver herniation, a condition previously considered unsurvivable. Advanced critical care and external fascial traction systems facilitated survival, highlighting new possibilities for this rare condition.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Surgery
- Pediatric Surgery
- Congenital Abnormalities
Background:
- Gastroschisis with complete liver herniation is a rare and typically fatal congenital defect.
- No previous survivors of this condition have been reported in medical literature.
Introduction:
There are no reported survivors of gastroschisis with complete liver herniation. We describe a case report of two patients, one of whom survived.
Case #1:
The patient was born with gastroschisis and herniation of the entire liver. Along with silo placement, the abdominal fascia was attached to an external traction system for growth. Complete closure was achieved at 5 months. Due to pulmonary hypoplasia, high-frequency ventilation was required. The patient is doing well, on a home ventilator wean, at 20 months.
Case #2:
The patient was born prematurely with gastroschisis, total liver herniation, and a defect extending to the pericardium. A silo was attached to the fascia to provide growth of the abdominal cavity. The patient developed respiratory failure, diffuse anasarca, and renal failure. She died at 38 days of life.
Discussion:
We report the first survivor of gastroschisis with complete liver herniation, contrasting it with a death of a similar case. The associated pulmonary hypoplasia may require long-term ventilation, the inflammatory response can lead to anasarca, and renal injury can occur from acute-on-chronic compartment syndrome.
Conclusion:
External fascial traction systems can help induce growth of the abdominal wall, allowing closure of the challenging abdomen. While critical care management is complex, survival is possible.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Data Reporting and Recording
Types of Reports I: Hands-off Report
Following are the key components and categories of hand-off reports:
Purpose and Process:
Types of Reports II: Incident or Occurrence Report
Purposes:
In the healthcare industry, reports play a crucial role in documenting incidents within an agency. The primary objective of these reports is to ensure patient safety, uphold the...
Types of Reports III: Telephone and Verbal Reports
Here's an overview of each type:
Telephone Orders
Reporter Genes
Liver Histology
Hepatocytes perform a variety of essential functions. They secrete...

