Unsatisfactory experience with 'minimal intervention management' for gastroschisis.
OBJECTIVE
The authors report, for cautionary reasons, their trial with "minimal intervention management" for gastroschisis. After the successful innovative experience with this approach, which Bianchi and Dickson described, they utilized it in 4 consecutive patients.


METHODS
In the delivery room a plastic bag was placed over the intestines, which rested in a dependent position to reduce edema. The stomach was decompressed and the patients kept warm. Intravenous fluid at a maintenance rate was given. After about 5 hours an attempt at closure was undertaken in the newborn intensive care unit without anesthesia. An assistant lifted the anterior abdominal wall by applying upward traction on the umbilical cord. Over about 25 minutes the intestines were placed in the coelom, which was closed with a single suture.


RESULTS
The outcome was uncomplicated in the first of 4 consecutive patients. The second patient had abdominal compartment syndrome requiring a silo and subsequent resection and has chronic malabsorption 16 months later. The third had an enterocutaneous fistula at 5 weeks that required a small bowel resection. Bedside closure was abandoned in the final case because too much resistance was encountered. She underwent primary repair in the operating room and eventually died of sepsis with intestinal dysmotility.


CONCLUSIONS
The "minimal intervention approach" can be effective in some patients who have gastroschisis. This experience suggests that selection criteria are needed before this method can be recommended.
Dolgin
S E
SE
Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York 10029-6574, USA.
Midulla
P
P
Shlasko
E
E
D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D020139:Gastroschisis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications