Amniotic fluid exchange vs amniofusion in gastroschisis

Meconium staining of the brainstem with open myelomeningocele

Meconium staining of open myelomeningoceles has been reported to occur both prenatally and postnatally, but meconium staining of the brainstem has not been previously documented. The authors present a case of meconium staining of the brainstem in an infant with a meconium-stained myelomeningocele, Chiari malformation Type II, and hydrocephalus and discuss possible implications for prenatal and perinatal care.

In utero repair of gastroschisis in the sheep (Ovis aries) model

OBJECTIVE

Gastroschisis is associated with inflammatory changes in the exposed bowel which leads to intestinal dysmotility after postnatal repair. The insult is a combined effect of amniotic fluid exposure and mechanical constriction. We hypothesized that in utero anatomic repair is possible in a sheep model, and that it may halt the inflammatory damage caused by both mechanisms.

METHODS

Gastroschisis was surgically created in mid-gestation (day 75) in 8 sheep fetuses. On gestational day 100, 2 fetuses underwent open fetal gastroschisis repair, where the eviscerated bowel was returned to the peritoneal cavity, and the abdominal wall was primarily closed. All fetuses were harvested at 135 days of gestation.

RESULTS

Six fetuses survived the initial operation, and both fetuses that underwent gastroschisis repair survived to term. At 100 and 135 days of gestation, the eviscerated bowel showed progressive signs of inflammation and peel development. The gross and microscopic inflammatory changes in the gastroschisis bowel at 100 days of gestation were completely resolved at term following in utero repair.

CONCLUSION

In utero anatomic repair of gastroschisis is possible in mid-gestation in the fetal lamb model, and it appears to ameliorate the inflammatory process.