Fetal Autopsy Showing Two Ventral Body Wall Defects: An Unusual Presentation

Thoracoschisis and gastroschisis are types of ventral body wall defects. Usually thoracoabdominoschisis presents as a continuous defect. Here the authors present the case of autopsy of 18 weeks old fetus with two well-separated ventral body wall defects. Thoracoschisis was a right lateral thoracic wall defect while gastroschisis, a midline infraumblical abdominal wall defect. Through the right lateral thoracic wall parts of two organs appeared to be protruding. On dissection, 8th and 9th ribs with the liver and the lower lobe of the right lung were herniating outside the body. The right lung was haemorrhagic. Various embryological theories on ventral body wall defects have been discussed in view of the present case.