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Review
. 2021 May;10(5):1461-1469.
doi: 10.21037/tp-20-94.

Abdominal wall defects

Christina M Bence  1 , Amy J Wagner  1
Affiliations
Review

Abdominal wall defects

Christina M Bence et al. Transl Pediatr. 2021 May.

Abstract

Abdominal wall defects are common congenital anomalies with the most frequent being gastroschisis and omphalocele. Though both are the result of errors during embryologic development of the fetal abdominal wall, gastroschisis and omphalocele represent unique disorders that have different clinical sequelae. Gastroschisis is generally a solitary anomaly with postnatal outcomes related to the underlying integrity of the prolapsed bowel. In contrast, omphalocele is frequently associated with other structural anomalies or genetic syndromes that contribute more to postnatal outcomes than the omphalocele defect itself. Despite their embryological differences, both gastroschisis and omphalocele represent anomalies of fetal development that benefit from multidisciplinary and translational approaches to care, both pre- and postnatally. While definitive management of abdominal wall defects currently remains in the postnatal realm, advancements in prenatal diagnostics and therapies may one day change that. This review focuses on recent advancements, novel techniques, and current controversies related to the prenatal diagnosis and management of gastroschisis and omphalocele.

Keywords: Abdominal wall defects; gastroschisis; omphalocele.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: Both authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/tp-20-94). The series “Fetal Surgery” was commissioned by the editorial office without any funding or sponsorship. The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pictorial representation of the spectrum of bowel inflammation or “matting” (none, mild, or severe) that can be seen in gastroschisis patients. Used with permission from The Canadian Pediatric Surgery Network website (http://www.capsnetwork.org/portal/ForAbstractorsSiteInvestigators/EducationfortheGSBowelInjuryScore.aspx)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Image depicting a giant omphalocele containing bowel and a portion of liver. Used with permission from Whitehouse JS, Gourlay DM, Masonbrink AR, et al. Conservative management of giant omphalocele with topical povidone-iodine and its affect on thyroid function. J Pediatr Surg 2010;45:1192-7.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Image depicting measurement of omphalocele diameter on prenatal ultrasound. Used with permission from Fawley JA, Peterson EL, Christensen MA, et al. Can omphalocele ratio predict postnatal outcomes? J Pediatr Surg 2016;51:62-6.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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