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Forty-five cases of gastroschisis and 85 of omphalocele were reviewed. The survival of gastroschisis has dramatically improved over the past 20 years, however, that of omphalocele still remained in the lower value, because the size of the defect and the presence of associated anomalies are prognostic factors. The primary fascial closure was first employed for the patients with gastroschisis and a silo chimney was used for limited cases. On the other hand, for the patients with omphalocele, primary closure was possible in 34 cases, silo chimney was used in 17, and 45 cases had nonoperative management with epithelialization. Among them, nonoperative management using painting was the most reliable therapeutic for omphalocele.

We treated four neonates with congenital abdominal wall defects and performed pulmonary function testing before and after closure of abdominal wall defects. Pulmonary mechanics were measured by passive occlusion technique. Static respiratory system compliance (Crs) was 0.61 +/- 0.16 ml.cmH2O-1 .kg-1 (mean +/- SD) preoperatively and decreased to 0.31 +/- 0.03 ml.cmH2O-1.kg-1 postoperatively. Two cases with a marked decrease in Crs after the abdominal wall closure seemed to have longer intubation time and N.P.O period and to have more complications than with the other two cases. Our experience provides an evidence that Crs measurement could be a useful index in decision-making of the treatment of neonates with congenital abdominal wall defects.