The female condom as a temporary silo: A simple and inexpensive tool in the initial management of the newborn with gastroschisis

Objective. The aim of this study is to report the use of a female condom as a non-surgical silon pouch in the early management of newborns with gastroschisis with large visceroabdominal disproportion. Methods. Pre-washed, sterile female condoms without spermicide were used as an early approach to treat gastroschisis in 20 newborns with large defects and in whom staged correction was anticipated. The condom was placed in the neonatal intensive care unit using sterile technique, with no anesthesia, and it was removed only at the time of the surgical procedure for gastroschisis correction. Results. There were no complications associated with the use of a female condom as a temporary silo for gastroschisis. It protected the exposed organs and also allowed a careful evaluation of the bowel and a better pre-operative planning without the need for emergency procedures. Conclusion. The use of a female condom as a silon pouch is a low-cost and simple alternative in the initial management of newborns with gastroschisis in whom primary correction is considered non-feasible.21964865

Monitoring intravesical pressure during gastroschisis closure. Does it help to decide between delayed primary or staged closure?

Introduction and objective: Correction of gastroschisis may be accomplished by either primary or staged closure or even delayed primary closure after the use of a preformed silo. However, there is neither a consensus on the best approach nor established criteria to favor one method over the other. The aim of this paper was to investigate the role of intravesical pressure (IVP) as a tool to prevent abdominal compartment syndrome in newborns undergoing correction of abdominal wall defects. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 45 newborns with gastroschisis in whom trans-operative intravesical pressure was used to choose between primary or staged closure. A threshold of 20 cm H2O was used and the outcomes between the two methods were compared. Results: In 24 children delayed primary closure was achieved while the remaining 21 underwent staged reduction and closure. There was no difference in the frequency of complications, time to begin oral feeding, length of parenteral nutrition or length of hospital stay between the children of the two groups. The incidence of temporary oliguria or anuria, averaged 33% and it was similar in both groups of children. Conclusion: The data here presented suggests that monitoring intraoperative IVP during correction of gastroschisis may help to select children in whom staged closure is necessary, keeping their complication rate and overall outcome similar to that of children undergoing delayed primary closure. Further prospective studies should investigate more deeply the correlation between type of closure and the development of a compartment syndrome.2581438144

Alleviation of Abiotic and Biotic Stresses in Plants by Azospirillum

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