[Utility of intra-bladder pressure monitoring during closure of abdominal wall defects in newborn infants].

Recently, it was demonstrated that intra-bladder pressure (IBP) measured through a transurethral catheter accurately reflects intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). We monitored IBP during closure of abdominal wall defects in three newborn infants with gastroschisis. We were able to avoid complications due to increased IAP by keeping IBP below 20 mmHg. IBP correlated well with inferior vena cava pressure (r = 0.93) which reflects IAP. We advocate the use of IBP monitoring as a simple and reliable means of indirectly determining IAP during operations for closure of abdominal wall defects in newborn infants with omphalocele or gastroschisis.