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Omphalocele repair

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Omphalocele repair

Definition:

Omphalocele repair corrects a birth defect in which all or parts of the small intestine, liver, and large intestine are on the outside of the abdomen and enclosed in a membranous sac. This procedure is similar to gastroschisis repair.

Omphalocele is frequently associated with other birth defects, such as heart defects, imperforate anus, urinary problems, and some genetic conditions. Omphalocele is similar to gastroschisis, except that the protruding organs are enclosed in a sac.

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Gastroschisis and omphalocele are frequently diagnosed before birth by ultrasound examinations.

Description:

Surgical repair of abdominal wall defects involves placing the abdominal organs back into the abdomen through the defect and repairing the defect if possible. If immediate replacement is not possible, a sterile pouch is created to protect the intestines while they are gradually pushed back into the abdomen over a period of time.

Immediately after delivery, the baby's exposed organs are covered with warm, moist, sterile dressings. A nasogastric (NG) tube is inserted through the baby's nose or mouth into the stomach to keep the stomach empty. This prevents choking on or breathing stomach contents into the lungs (aspiration). The surgery is done as soon as the infant is stable.

While the baby is under general anesthesia, an incision is made to remove the sac membrane. The intestine is examined closely for signs of damage or additional birth defects. Damaged or defective portions are removed and the healthy edges are stitched together.

A tube may be inserted into the stomach (gastrostomy tube) and out through the skin.

If possible, the organs are replaced into the abdominal cavity and the incision closed. If the abdominal cavity is too small or the protruding organs are too swollen to allow the skin to be closed, a pouch will be made from a sheet of plastic (silo) to cover and protect the organs. Complete closure may be done over a few weeks.