[Omphalocele and laparoschisis--a clinical analysis].

As yet, it has not been sufficiently investigated whether the pathogenesis of omphalocele and gastroschisis can be attributed to the same cause or to different processes. Therapeutical principles, however, are the same in omphalocele and gastroschisis: the very soon closure of the abdominal wall defect. Our own procedure strives for primary fascial closure. If this is not possible, we prefer skin closure above the silastic cylinder according to Schuster, 72 patients with omphalocele and 62 patients with gastroschisis were Schuster, 72 patients with omphalocele and 62 patients with gastroschisis were analysed. Lethality was 32% in omphalocele and 22% in gastroschisis during the last 6 years. The predominant cause of death was postoperative infection. It is therefore necessary to improve infection therapy in order to reduce lethality.