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

Wide practice variation exists in the management of gastroschisis. Reduction of the eviscerated bowel and closure of the gastroschisis defect was traditionally performed in the operating room. In recent years, however, many surgeons have chosen to perform reduction and closure at the bedside in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) [1-3]. Some surgeons attempt to close all gastroschises primarily, while others routinely perform staged closure using a silo [4,5]. Primary closure may be performed either by suturing the closed defect or by performing a “sutureless closure” using the umbilical cord as a flap [1,6-9].
Source: Journal of Pediatric Surgery - Category: Surgery Authors: Source Type: research