Vanishing gastroschisis: Good outcome after a 10-year follow-up

Abstract

Gastroschisis (GS) is a full-thickness abdominal wall defect with prolapse of the bowel and sporadically other viscera. The abdominal wall itself may close around the viscera determining entry/exit level intestinal atresia and ischemia or variable midgut infarction, a phenomenon described as vanishing GS (VGS). We report on an infant harboring VGS born to a 35-year-old Gravida 2, Para 0, affected with seizures controlled by anti-convulsive therapy. The infant is well after ten years of follow-up. Guidelines and directives have not been officially issued at international level yet. We suggest that close antenatal monitoring may prevent severe bowel loss in some cases pondering it as the best approach. To the best of our knowledge, after multiple surgical interventions, most patients with closed GS should have a favorable outcome.

Keywords

• Vanishing gastroschisis
• Bowel repair
• Follow-up