Risks for any anesthesia are:

• Allergic reactions to medicines
• Breathing problems

Risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Blood clots

Additional risks of omphalocele repair are:

• Breathing problems. The baby may need a breathing tube and breathing machine for a few days or weeks after surgery.
• Inflammation of the tissue that lines the wall of the abdomen and covers the abdominal organs
• Organ injury
• Problems with digestion and absorbing nutrients from food, if a baby has a lot of damage to the small bowel

Review Date: 01/24/2011
Reviewed By: Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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