A newborn is noted to have abdominal viscera protruding through a full-thickness paraumbilical abdominal wall defect to the right of the umbilicus. The bowel is thickened, matted, and covered by an inflammatory peel. Which statement is correct about this condition?

• A Primary fascial closure is possible in the majority of cases ✓
• B It is associated with a higher incidence of chromosomal anomalies than omphalocele
• C The umbilical cord inserts into the apex of the defect
• D The eviscerated contents are enclosed in a sac of amnion

Explanation

Gastroschisis is a right-sided paraumbilical full-thickness defect without a covering sac, so primary closure is achievable in most cases after bowel reduction, sometimes using a silastic silo for staged closure. The cord inserts normally at the umbilicus, not into the defect. Chromosomal and cardiac anomalies are far less common than in omphalocele, where the sac-covered contents insert at the cord base and associated anomalies are frequent.

Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.