Operative Repair of Gastroschisis

Abstract

This chapter describes the surgical procedure for operative sutured repair of gastroschisis. The text includes an introduction that outlines the indications, risks, alternatives, essential steps, needed equipment, and variations in technique for the procedure in question. This is followed by a template operative dictation, which provides the reader with an operative report, such as is found in a patient chart or electronic medical record. A description is provided of the following critical concepts for this procedure: ensure adequate sedation and analgesia, decompress the colon to express meconium (or remove the silo, if this was a staged closure), enlarge the abdominal wall defect if necessary, reduce the abdominal contents (taking care to monitor for and avoid abdominal compartment syndrome), and close the abdominal wall defect primarily.