[Experiences with primary fascia closure of the abdomen in gastroschisis--a 16 year review].

47 children with gastroschisis were operated at the Hannover Medical School between 1980 and 1995. The average gestation period was the 36th week of pregnancy with an average birthweight of 2370 gr. A primary layered closure of the abdominal wall was performed on 46 children. A multi-sided closure of the abdominal wall defect using Gore-Tex was necessary in only one case. Post-operative intubation lasted for an average of 56 hours. The children were fed by parenteral nutrition for an average of 32 days, with oral feeding starting on the 15th post-operative day. The average weight on discharge was 3035 gr. 18% of the children had post-operative problems such as sepsis, necrotic enterocolitis and ileus. A death rate of only 2% is proof of the progress that has been made in prenatal care of the newborn child suffering from gastroschisis and suggests that primary closure of the abdomen is the operative method to be aimed for.