Temporary impairment of lung function in infants with anterior abdominal wall defects who have undergone surgery.

Compliance of the respiratory system (CRS) was measured before and after surgical intervention in 14 infants who had anterior abdominal wall defects (AWD) (7 exomphalos, 7 gastroschisis). The median gestational age was 37 weeks (range, 34 to 40) and median birth weight was 2.38 kg (range, 1.94 to 3.45). The infants had stiff lungs before surgery (median CRS, 0.58 mL/cm H2(O)/kg). During the first and second postoperative days, the median CRS decreased to 0.33 mL/cm H2(O)/kg (P < .05). In seven cases, measurements also were obtained on the third and fourth postoperative days, which showed an increase in the median CRS (day 3, 0.47 mL/cm H2(O)/kg; P < .05). These findings show that in infants with AWD, primary surgical closure is associated with deterioration of lung function, but this effect is temporary.