Evaluating the risk of peri-umbilical hernia after sutured or sutureless gastroschisis closure

INTRODUCTION

We evaluate the incidence, outcomes, and management of peri‑umbilical hernias after sutured or sutureless gastroschisis closure.

METHODS

A retrospective, longitudinal follow-up of neonates with gastroschisis who underwent closure at 11 children's hospitals from 2013 to 2016 was performed. Patient encounters were reviewed through 2019 to identify the presence of a peri‑umbilical hernia, time to spontaneous closure or repair, and associated complications.

RESULTS

Of 397 patients, 375 had follow-up data. Sutured closure was performed in 305 (81.3%). A total of 310 (82.7%) infants had uncomplicated gastroschisis. Peri-umbilical hernia incidence after gastroschisis closure was 22.7% overall within a median follow-up of 2.5 years [IQR 1.3,3.9], and higher in those with uncomplicated gastroschisis who underwent primary vs. silo assisted closure (53.0% vs. 17.2%, p< 0.001). At follow-up, 50.0% of sutureless closures had a persistent hernia, while 16.4% of sutured closures had a postoperative hernia of the fascial defect (50.0% vs. 16.4%, p< 0.001). Spontaneous closure was observed in 38.8% of patients within a median of 17 months [9,26] and most frequently observed in those who underwent a sutureless primary closure (52.2%). Twenty-seven patients (31.8%) underwent operative repair within a median of 13 months [7,23.5]. Rate and interval of spontaneous closure or repair were similar between the sutured and sutureless closure groups, with no difference between those who underwent primary vs. silo assisted closure.

CONCLUSION

Peri-umbilical hernias after sutured or sutureless gastroschisis closure may be safely observed similar to congenital umbilical hernias as spontaneous closure occurs, with minimal complications and no additional risk with either closure approach.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

Level II.

Sutureless Closure Versus Conventional Technique in the Primary Surgery of Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Sutureless closure has been used for primary repair of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) for over 20 years but its superiority over conventional technique is still uncertain. This systematic review was conducted to compare the effectiveness of sutureless closure and conventional surgery as the primary repair for TAPVC. Systematic search was performed in June 2021 on 12 databases. All studies comparing sutureless and conventional surgery for TAPVC were included. The primary endpoints were early mortality, overall mortality, postoperative pulmonary venous stenosis (PVS), and reoperation. Meta-analysis of two-arm studies was performed with several sensitivity and subgroup analyses. Six retrospective studies with 767 patients were included in meta-analyses. Sutureless closure significantly reduced the risk of early mortality, overall mortality, postoperative PVS, and reoperation by 53%, 45%, 77%, and 67% compared to conventional technique, respectively. No heterogeneity was found and presence of publication bias was non-significant. The results were consistent in all sensitivity analyses. Subgroup analyses revealed that sutureless closure was superior to conventional technique in patients with and without preoperative pulmonary venous obstruction, and neonates and non-neonates. Sutureless closure is better than conventional closure as the primary surgery for TAPVC patients. We advocate using sutureless closure for patients with TAPVC. Future large-scale observational studies or clinical trials are required to confirm our findings.

Tu-be or not tu-be? Is routine endotracheal intubation necessary for successful bedside reduction and primary closure of gastroschisis?

BACKGROUND

Wide practice variation exists in the management of gastroschisis. Routine endotracheal intubation for bedside closure may lead to longer duration of mechanical ventilation.

METHODS

The Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgery Network gastroschisis dataset was queried for all patients undergoing attempted bedside reduction and closure. Patients with evidence of intestinal necrosis or perforation were excluded. A propensity score analysis was used to compare the rate of successful primary repair and post-operative outcomes between intubated and non-intubated patients.

RESULTS

In propensity score matched analysis, the successful primary repair rate did not reach statistical significance between patients who were intubated for attempted bedside closure and those who were not intubated (Odds Ratio: 2.18, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.79, 6.03). Intubated patients experienced 3.02 more ventilator days than patients who were not intubated at the time of initial attempted closure. Other post-operative parameters were similar between both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

It is reasonable to attempt primary bedside gastroschisis closure without intubation in otherwise healthy infants.

Sutureless vs sutured abdominal wall closure for gastroschisis: Operative characteristics and early outcomes from the Midwest Pediatric Surgery Consortium

PURPOSE

To report outcomes of sutured and sutureless closure for gastroschisis across a large multi-institutional cohort.

METHODS

A retrospective study of infants with uncomplicated gastroschisis at 11 children's from 2014 to 2016 was performed. Outcomes of sutured and sutureless abdominal wall closure were compared.

RESULTS

Among 315 neonates with uncomplicated gastroschisis, sutured closure was performed in 248 (79%); 212 undergoing sutured closure after silo and 36 undergoing primary sutured closure. Sutureless closure was performed in 67 (21%); 37 primary sutureless closure, 30 sutureless closure after silo placement. There was no significant difference in gestational age, gender, birth weight, total days on TPN, and time from closure to initial oral intake or goal feeds. Sutureless closure patients had less general anesthetics, ventilator use/time, time from birth to final closure, antibiotic use after closure, and surgical site/deep space infections. Subgroup analysis demonstrated primary sutureless closure had less ventilator use and anesthetics than primary sutured closure. Sutureless closure after silo led to less ventilator use/time, anesthetics, and antibiotics compared to those with sutured closure after silo.

CONCLUSION

Sutureless abdominal wall closure of neonates with gastroschisis was associated with less general anesthetics, antibiotic use, surgical site/deep space infections, and decreased ventilator time. These findings support further prospective study by our group.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Safety and usefulness of plastic closure in infants with gastroschisis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Recently, plastic closure of abdominal defect in infants with gastroschisis has been used. Timing of gastroschisis closure can be mainly divided into two groups: primary closure and delayed closure after silo forming. Safety and usefulness of plastic closure in gastroschisis remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the current evidence for plastic closure in infants with gastroschisis.

METHODS

The analysis was done for primary closure as well as closure after silo. Outcomes were mortality, wound infection, duration of ventilation, time to feeding, and length of hospital stay (LOS). The quality of evidence was summarized using the GRADE approach.

RESULTS

In the "primary" group, there was no significant difference in mortality, time to feeding initiation and LOS. In the "silo" group, wound infection was significantly lower in plastic closure (Odds ratio 0.24, 95%CI 0.09-0.69, p = 0.008). Duration of ventilation, time to feeding initiation and LOS were significantly shorter after plastic closure (Ventilation; mean difference (MD) - 5.76, p = 0.03. Feeding initiation; MD - 9.42, p < 0.0001. LOS; MD - 14.06, p = 0.002). Quality of evidence was very low for all outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Current results suggest that plastic closure may be beneficial for infants with gastroschisis requiring silo formation. However, this evidence is suboptimal and further studies are needed.

Umbilical hernia following gastroschisis closure: a common event?

PURPOSE

To assess incidence and natural history of umbilical hernia following sutured and sutureless gastroschisis closure.

METHODS

With audit approval, we undertook a retrospective clinical record review of all gastroschisis closures in our institution (2007-2013). Patient demographics, gastroschisis closure method and umbilical hernia occurrence were recorded. Data, presented as median (range), underwent appropriate statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Fifty-three patients were identified, gestation 36 weeks (31-38), birth weight 2.39 kg (1-3.52) and 23 (43 %) were male. Fourteen patients (26 %) underwent sutureless closure: 12 primary, 2 staged; and 39 (74 %) sutured closure: 19 primary, 20 staged. Sutured closure was interrupted sutures in 24 patients, 11 pursestring and 4 not specified. Fifty patients were followed-up over 53 months (10-101) and 22 (44 %) developed umbilical hernias. There was a significantly greater hernia incidence following sutureless closure (p = 0.0002). In sutured closure, pursestring technique had the highest hernia rate (64 %). Seven patients underwent operative hernia closure; three secondary to another procedure. Seven patients had their hernias resolve. One patient was lost to follow-up and seven remain under observation with no reported complications.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant umbilical hernia incidence following sutureless and pursestring sutured gastroschisis closure. This has not led to complications and the majority have not undergone repair.