Experience of bedside preformed silo staged reduction and closure for gastroschisis.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of routine staged reduction and closure at the bedside, using preformed silos with no general anesthesia (PSnoGA), compared to emergency operative fascial closure (OFC) under general anesthesia for gastroschisis (GS).

Methods: A retrospective matched case-control analysis of neonates with GS was performed between 1990 and 2004 inclusively. Assessment included demographics, method of closure, days on ventilator, days to first enteral feed, days to full oral feeds, days on parenteral nutrition, length of hospital stay, and complications.

Results: Sixty-five patients with GS were treated in our institution between 1990 and 2004. Thirty-five underwent OFC, 4 had Bianchi ward reduction, and 26 received PSnoGA. Seventeen patients with bowel perforation, atresia, ward reduction, medical complications necessitating ventilation, or any other condition requiring urgent surgical intervention were excluded from the analysis. Patients were well matched for gestation and birth weight. Forty-eight patients (OFC = 27 and PSnoGA = 21) were compared by using Mann-Whitney U test. Median days on ventilator (4 vs 0; P < or = .0001) was significantly reduced, but there was no difference for days to full oral feeds (26 vs 31; P = .26), days on parenteral nutrition (25 vs 30; P = .28), and length of stay (32 vs 36; P = .32), respectively. Complications were similar for both groups.

Conclusions: PSnoGA has outcomes statistically similar to OFC, although days on ventilator are significantly reduced. Slow reduction of the bowel avoids abdominal compartment syndrome and closure may be achieved without fascial sutures. PSnoGA is performed at the bedside and aims to avoid general anesthesia, a period of ventilation, and out-of-hours operating, thereby reducing costs. A prospective, multicenter, randomized control trial is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of PSnoGA.