Abdominal wall defect repair

The defect can be corrected with surgery in most cases. How well the baby does depends on the amount of damage to the intestine.

After surgery, the infant will stay in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The baby will be placed in an isolette (incubator) to keep warm and prevent infection. Intravenous fluids, antibiotics, pain medication, and oxygen will be given. Mechanical ventilation (a breathing machine) is often needed.

An NG tube will be used to keep the stomach empty. Feedings are started by NG tube as soon as the intestines start to work. Feedings are started very slowly and infants are often reluctant to feed. An infant who has had this surgery may need feeding therapy and lots of encouragement.

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Gastroschisis repair Prevention

Review Date: 07/14/2006
Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)