Between 1974 and 1989, 49 out of 83 children with gastroschisis or omphalocele underwent duraplastic enlargement of the anterior abdominal wall. The solvent dried dura proved to be the most useful material, which could be left in place even after a scar had formed. Abdominal complications depend on preexisting damage of the intestine and on the intraabdominal pressure resulting from closure. Long-term disturbances of the gastrointestinal and abdominal wall function are comparable to the results of other reconstructive methods.

Based on the experience with 57 neonates with NEC, the significance of diagnostic methods (especially ultrasonography, paracentesis, intraoperative photometry) for treatment and results is discussed.

The ATCS is an innovative instrument for MIPS and ca be employed for efficient and socio-economic (e.g. DRGs) closure of large-area defects.

Since the introduction of intraoperative measurements it has been possible to make the Erlangen technique substantially less invasive, i.e. division of the ribs at the outer rim of the funnel, previously always carried out, is no longer done. Of course we could also minimise the length of the incision.

No abstract