title: Congenital Abdominal Wall Defects: Staged closure by Dual Mesh.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical utility of GORE® DUALMESH (GDM) in the staged closure of large congenital abdominal wall defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of patients with congenital abdominal wall defects managed with GDM was analyzed for outcome regarding complete fascial closure; mesh related complications; and post-discharge gastrointestinal surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GDM was placed in 34 (gastroschisis=27, omphalocele=7) patients during the study period. Complete closure of the fascia was obtained in one patient with omphalocele and in 22 patients with gastroschisis. Mesh related surgical complications were seen in five (15%) children: four had detachment of the mesh and one patient developed abdominal compartment syndrome. Mesh related clinical infection was observed in five children. In hospital mortality occurred in four cases (2 gastroschisis and 2 omphalocele) and was not procedure-related. Of the 30 children discharged, 28 (82%) were still alive. At follow-up, three patients (10%) were operated for a minor ventral hernia and 4 children were operated (laparotomy and adhesionolysis) for adhesive intestinal obstruction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Staged closure with GDM is a safe alternative when primary fascial closure is difficult.
authors.affiliation: Hans Christian Andersen Children´s Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Risby
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Kolding Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: Marianne Skytte
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Jakobsen
authors.affiliation: Department of surgery A (Pediatric Surgery), Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Qvist
keywords: Gastroschisis; Gore DualMesh; Mesh; Omphalocele