Department of Anaesthesiology, Eastern Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Results of reconstruction of gastroschisis are presented. 27 consecutive patients operated upon during 1971 - 1980 are reviewed: 8 patients with primary closure, 19 patients reconstructed with a staged procedure (silon-pouch). It is concluded that both methods can be used, with low mortality: 1 patient in each group. The use of silon-pouch resulted, however, in a longer period of total parenteral nutrition (46 vs 18 days) and hospital care (8 vs 43 days).