Pneumatic reduction bag for treatment of gastroschisis and omphalocele. A 10-year experience.

In 1975, a new Silastic device was developed by the authors to be used in the staged reduction of viscera in newborns with giant gastroschisis or omphalocele. That device and their early experience were described in 1977. This article reports the results of use of this device over the past 10 years. Primary closure of gastroschisis and omphalocele is accomplished, if possible. If tension of the closure is too great, the pneumatic bag is attached and staged reduction accomplished over 7-8 days. The advantages of this device are: it is preformed and easily sterilized by autoclaving; it is strong enough to elevate the abdominal wall; the pneumatic sac eliminates bulky ligatures; when it is pulled through a slotted rod, the edges of the defect are opposed; and it is available in two sizes.