Late surgical problems in children born with abdominal wall defects.

During a 17 year period 55 patients with abdominal wall defects were treated. A questionnaire concerning late surgical problems was distributed to the parents of the 47 surviving children and 44 (94%) answers were received. The mean follow up time was 5.4 years. There was no mention of remaining problems regarding 16 of the 28 omphalocoele patients and 10 of the 16 gastroschisis patients. Postoperative abdominal wall hernia was reported in 7 cases with omphalocoele and in 6 with gastroschisis; postoperative intestinal stoma occurred in 1 child with omphalocoele associated with anal atresia, and in 1 with gastroschisis and postoperative intestinal obstruction in 4 cases with omphalocoele and in 1 with gastroschisis. The other complaints related to abdominal pain, cryptorchidism, constipation and difficulties with care of the intestinal stoma. No difference in results was found between the two types of closure of the abdominal wall defects irrespective of the primary treatment. All the remaining problems could be corrected and the long term results in both conditions were good.