title: Experience with management of anterior abdominal wall defects using bovine pericard.
abstract: During 5 years from 1999 until 2003, our experience with 29 (100%) neonates managed for anterior abdominal wall defects is presented. Twenty-one (72%) neonates presented with gastroschisis and 8 (28%) neonates with giant omphaloceles. The male:female ratio was almost equal in gastroschisis (1:1) while a male predominance was observed in omphaloceles (6:1). A primary closure of the defect was possible in 5 (17%) cases and a single patch along with skin closure was achieved in a further 9 (31%) cases. In 15 (52%) neonates the defect was large and two patches were employed to sufficiently cover the defect. All patients (97%), except one (mortality due to extreme prematurity), were managed successfully. Depending upon the size of the defect and the metabolic condition of the neonate, the defect closure was completed after a mean of 85.7 days. Special protocols were created to manage the bovine pericard patches, which behaved differently to lyophilized dura patches previously used at our center. Integration of the patches was successful in 28 (97%) neonates; however, one neonate with gastroschisis presented significant challenges in the management. Bovine pericard patches are optimal biomaterials for the closure of anterior abdominal wall defects in gastroschisis and omphaloceles.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgical University Clinic Münster, Munster, Germany. pediatricsurgery@web.de
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Tuil
authors.forename: Amulya K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Saxena
authors.forename: Günter H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Willital
mesh_terms: D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002417:Cattle; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020139:Gastroschisis / Q000601:surgery*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006554:Hernia, Umbilical / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D013536:Suture Techniques
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine