The fetus with an abdominal wall defect: management and outcome

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Abstract
Despite prenatal diagnosis, maternal transport and early perinatal treatment in specialized hospitals, improvement in overall mortality has not been observed among newborns with abdominal wall defects (omphalocele and gastroschisis). A comparison has been made, for both anomalies, between 55 cases treated in the periods 1967-1979 and 30 treated in the periods 1980-1985. In this last group, 14 prenatally detected cases were separated from cases discovered at birth. Recent advances in treatment have reduced mortality rates for both of these anomalies. This was especially true for gastroschisis; in omphalocele cases, associated abnormalities appeared to be an unavoidable limiting factor in survival. With prenatal diagnosis a surprising increase in mortality rate was observed among omphalocele cases detected before birth. A possible reason for this is the total number of antenatally diagnosed cases that, with maternal transport, are concentrated in centers where surgical facilities are available. Before introduction of antenatal diagnosis, most of these cases would never have been observed by the pediatric surgeon because of death prior to referral or treatment. Gastroschisis cases may benefit more from antenatal recognition and early treatment because multiple abnormalities or immaturity are not so important limiting factors in survival as in omphalocele cases. Reduced trauma and contamination of exposed viscera, immediate treatment and adequate supportive measures may significantly reduce mortality rate in gastroschisis cases. Operative delivery of fetuses with an abdominal wall defect is controversial. The risk of vaginal route delivery has been over emphasized. Intrapartum rupture of an omphalocelic sac was an extremely rare event before introduction of antenatal diagnosis. It is the authors'' opinion that extensive indication for cesarean section is not justified because it increases maternal risk and has an uncertain benefit for the fetus. In conclusion, antenatal diagnosis may potentially contribute to improve results in treatment of abdominal wall defects, provided that multiple, untreatable malformations are not present.