Constant negative pressure: an adjunct in the treatment of gastroschisis.

Three cases of gastroschisis are described, managed surgically in the neonatal period by staged reduction employing a dacron reinforced silastic sac. All three cases were treated during the postoperative period with the application of constant negative pressure around the thorax and abdomen. Reduction of the eviscerated mass appeared to be accelerated and all three cases survived. The possible benefits of constant negative pressure around the thorax and abdomen in the treatment of gastroschisis are discussed.