DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR VISCEROABDOMINAL DISPROPORTION SYNDROME IN GASTROSCHISIS

The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency and search for additional criteria for the diagnosis of visceroabdominal disproportion syndrome (VADS) in newborns with gastroschisis. Materials and methods of research: prospective controlled observational cross-sectional analytical study was carried out in 61 newborns with gastroschisis, admitted from June 2009 to July 2021. To search for the most significant factors indicating the presence of VADS, the following parameters were recorded in the studied patients: the size of the defect in the anterior abdominal wall, the composition of eventrated organs, the presence of a conglomerate of intestinal loops, the diameter of the intestinal tube, the thickness of the intestinal wall, the degree of visceroabdominal disproportion (VAD). Results: VAD was detected in 50 (82%) newborns with gastroschisis. In 10 (17%) cases, VAD was mild, in 27 (44%) – moderate, and in 13 (21%) patients – severe. A moderate direct relationship was found between the size of the anterior abdominal wall defect (r=0.29, p=0.022), intestinal tube diameter (r=0.56; p=0.001) and the severity of VAD. There was a strong direct correlation between the thickness of the intestinal wall, and the frequency and severity of VAD (r=0.93, p=0.001). A direct association was found between the presence of a conglomerate of intestinal loops in the eventrated organs and the frequency of VAD (p=0.002). There was no statistically significant relationship between the number of eventrated anatomical structures with the frequency and degree of VAD (p=0.36). Conclusion: to determine VADS, it is advisable to diagnose the following pathological conditions in patients with gastroschisis: thickening of the intestinal wall, dilatation of the intestinal tube, the presence of a conglomerate of tightly welded eventrated organs, the severity of which is directly proportional to the degree of disproportion.

Vaginal birth vs caesarean delivery: impact on gastroschisis anatomy in newborns (a 33-year experience)

Background. Despite the existence of numerous studies on the optimal delivery mode in gastroschisis (GS), their results remain controversial. Therefore, the presented study is focused on establishing the delivery mode impact on GS anatomy in newborns.Research objective. The study was conducted to determine the impact of the delivery mode on the features of GS anatomy in newborns.Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of medical records of 135 pregnant women and 135 their newborns with GS born between 1987 and 2020 was conducted. All newborns are divided into 3 groups. Newborns delivered by caesarean section are included in group I (n = 80); children born exclusively naturally are included in groups II (n = 25) and III (n = 30). The following anatomical features of GS in newborns were studied: localization and size of the anterior abdominal wall defect, confluence with the abdominal cavity, the nature and frequency of the eventrated organs.Results. The size of the anterior abdominal wall defect was significantly smaller in children with GS delivered by caesarean section (3.02 ± 0.58 cm; p < 0.01) than in children born naturally (4.17 ± 0.3 cm in group II, 4.7 ± 0.29 cm in group III). The frequency of retroperitoneal organs eventration was significantly less (20.0%; p < 0.01) in caesarean delivery grope than in II and III groups (52% and 63.3%, respectively). There was no significant difference in frequency of other abdominal organs eventration, localization of the anterior abdominal wall defect and confluence with the abdominal cavity. Level of evidence – III. Conclusions. The mode of delivery affects the size of abdominal wall defect and frequency of the abdominal organs eventration in newborns with GS.

Statistical Analysis of the Main Risk Factors of an Unfavorable Evolution in Gastroschisis

Gastroschisis is a congenital abdominal wall defect that presents an increasing occurrence at great cost for the health system. The aim of the study is to detect the main factors of an unfavorable evolution in the case of gastroschisis and to find the best predictors of death. Methods: we conducted a retrospective cohort study of neonates with gastroschisis treated in a tertiary pediatric center during the last 30 years; 159 patients were eligible for the study. Logistic regression was used to determine the risk of death, estimated based on independent variables previously validated by the chi-square test. Results: if the birth weight is below normal, then we find an increased risk (4.908 times) of evolution to death. Similarly, the risk of death is 7.782 times higher in the case of developing abdominal compartment syndrome, about 3 times in the case of sepsis and 7.883 times in the case of bronchopneumonia. All four independent variables contributed 47.6% to the risk of death. Conclusion: although in the past 30 years in our country we have seen transformational improvements in outcome of gastroschisis, survival rates increasing from 26% to 52%, some factors may still be ameliorated for a better outcome.

Gastroschisis Complicated by Colonic Atresia

Introduction: Gastroschisis with colonic atresia is a rare association. Due to its rarity and variation in presentation, no standardized surgical treatment option exists. Complicated gastroschisis is associated with a higher morbidity and mortality than intestinal atresia or gastroschisis alone. Methods: This is a case report of a neonate with congenital gastroschisis. On day of life 1, a silo was placed. On day of life 4, the upper portion of silo contents appeared more congested with dusky discoloration and the patient was oliguric. She was taken to the operating room for exploration. Results: The patient required resection of the terminal ileum and an atretic portion of the cecum due to necrosis. Four days later, primary closure of the gastroschisis defect was performed with creation of an end ileostomy. Elective ileostomy takedown was performed 5 months later. She returned to the operating room for anastomotic revision and gastrostomy tube placement for intestinal dysmotility and prolonged ileus. Tube feedings were discontinued 3 months post-operatively. Conclusions: Gastroschisis with intestinal atresia is associated with increased hospital length of stay, longer duration of parenteral nutrition, more severe intestinal dysfunction, increased surgical complications, and higher mortality than gastroschisis or intestinal atresia alone. With associated colonic atresia, loss of a significant length of bowel due to necrosis, including the ileocecal region, is almost unavoidable. An already compromised blood supply to the atretic bowel is further impaired by a tight abdominal wall defect and postnatal increases in gravitational force. Complicated gastroschisis remains a complex surgical challenge requiring further discussion.

Hemodynamic Changes in Umbilical Artery and Middle Cerebral Artery With Oligohydramnios in Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the hemodynamic changes in the umbilical artery (UA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) with oligohydramnios, during third trimester of pregnancy. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was done in a perinatal ultrasound center, over a 9-month period. The participant sample size was 64, and all of the women were conveniently consented and selected for the study. All individuals were referred for obstetrical sonography in the third trimester, with oligohydramnios. All fetal anomalies, such as a neural tube defect, dwarfism, an abdominal wall defect, were excluded from the study. Results: The mean systolic to diastolic (S/D) ratio for the UA was 3.01, within a range of 1.49 to 5.60 (± 0.79 SD). The mean pulsatility index (PI), of the UA, was 1.11, within a range of 0.41 to 5.51 cm (± 0.64 SD). The mean resistive index (RI) of the UA was 0.66, within a range of 0.33 to 1.25 cm (± 0.13 SD). The mean S/D ratio of the MCA was 5.68, within a range of 2.05 to 26.10 (± 3.10 SD). The mean PI of the MCA was 1.67 within a range of 0.75 to 2.55 cm (± 0.45 SD). The mean resistive index (RI), of the UA, was 0.82 within a range of 0.51 to 1.77 cm (± 0.82 SD). Conclusion: The Doppler indices may rise as pregnancy advances, especially in fetuses with oligohydramnios. In these types of patients, the flow within the MCA may decrease, with an increase in the gestational age. Consequently, it appears that oligohydramnios may lead to vascular remodeling of the UA and MCA.

EP.FRI.35 Traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) in a 16 year old boy

Definition Traumatic abdominal wall hernia is defined as: herniation of viscera through disrupted musculature & fascia associated with forceful trauma without skin penetration & no evidence of prior hernia defect prior to trauma Introduction There are only about 30 reported cases of TAWH due to handlebar injury, it is a rare complication of blunt abdominal trauma it involves disruption of abdominal wall muscles with bowel loops herniating through the abdominal wall defect & may be accompanied by serious or lethal complications Case report A 16 year old boy received trauma while cycling at about: 5 miles/hour & landed in the handle-bar with his right lower abdominal wall against the handle, the patient's vital signs were stable but there was bruising in the area, the diagnosis was missed by A&E doctor, but I saw him O/E there was a positive cough impulse & the diagnosis was confirmed by US examination, his haematological & biochemical investigations were normal, patient was taken to theatre & the hernia was repaired (image 2 & 3) Conclusion our case highlights the importance of clinical examination in blunt abdominal trauma & high index of suspicion plus using US/CT as appropriate to rule out mesenteric or visceral injury

A Variation of the Components’ Separation Technique that Preserves the Semilunaris for Treatment of Abdominal Wall Deformities

The variation of the components’ separation technique, which uses the anterior rectus sheath and the release of the oblique muscles, proved to be effective in tension reduction. This paper aimed to present the initial experience using a variation that preserves semilunaris through the incision of the lateral aspect of the rectus sheath. All of the 12 patients presented an abdominal wall defect that included incisional hernia, peritoneostomy, lateral implantation of the rectus muscle, and defect secondary to TRAM flap. The separation was done in the following stages: stage 1—anterior rectus sheath and stage 2—external oblique muscles. From the 12 patients, three presented early complications: seroma (n = 2) and epitheliolysis (n = 1). There were no recurrences or other late complications (48 months follow-up period). The separation of the anterior rectus sheath, and incision in the lateral recess to undermine the oblique muscles, allowed the treatment of abdominal wall defects, without late complications.