ABSTRACT
Introduction Gastroschisis and exomphalos (omphalocoele) are both congenital conditions which are characterized by the herniation of viscera through a ‘defect’ in the anterior abdominal wall. In gastroschisis (incidence 1 in 30,000 live births), the viscera herniate through a ‘true’ defect in the abdominal wall (Figure 1.1), which is to the right and at the base of the umbilicus, whereas in exomphalos (incidence 1 in 6-10,000 live births) the viscera herniate into the base of the umbilical cord (Figure 1.2). The incidence of gastroschisis has been increasing on a worldwide basis since the late 1980s.1
