Can you wait to operate on gastrochesis if the protrusion is not very severe?

Depends : A child with true gastroschesis will need repair relatively quickly, but excellent care in a nicu can delay the procedure for a matter of hours not days.The fact that intestines are sitting outside the body creates a great infection risk for the bowel & a risk of sepsis (blood poisoning) for the baby.Time needed for transport to a specialty center is the most common reason for acceptable delay.

No: In gastroschisis, the intestines are completely exposed to the environment, therefore, they must be covered with a silastic container or returned to the abdominal cavity as an emergency.

No: Waiting places the eviscerated organs at risk. If defect is small then the resulting surgery will be very uncomplicated and less risk to the baby.

No: A baby born with gastroschisis has its guts protruding through an abdominal wall defect. The bowel must be placed in the belly cavity & the hole in the abdominal wall closed. Ideally, this is done on the day the baby is born. Sometimes, the bowel will not fit inside, & a temporary "silo" is placed on the abdominal wall to hold the bowel until the abdominal wall stretches & everything fits inside.