• L G C Tullie, G M Bough, A Shalaby, E M Kiely, J I Curry, A Pierro, P De Coppi, and K M K Cross.
• Department of Specialist Neonatal and Paediatric Surgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, Great Ormond Street, London, WC1N 3JH, UK.
• Pediatr. Surg. Int. 2016 Aug 1; 32 (8): 811-4.

PurposeTo assess incidence and natural history of umbilical hernia following sutured and sutureless gastroschisis closure.MethodsWith audit approval, we undertook a retrospective clinical record review of all gastroschisis closures in our institution (2007-2013). Patient demographics, gastroschisis closure method and umbilical hernia occurrence were recorded. Data, presented as median (range), underwent appropriate statistical analysis.ResultsFifty-three patients were identified, gestation 36 weeks (31-38), birth weight 2.39 kg (1-3.52) and 23 (43 %) were male. Fourteen patients (26 %) underwent sutureless closure: 12 primary, 2 staged; and 39 (74 %) sutured closure: 19 primary, 20 staged. Sutured closure was interrupted sutures in 24 patients, 11 pursestring and 4 not specified. Fifty patients were followed-up over 53 months (10-101) and 22 (44 %) developed umbilical hernias. There was a significantly greater hernia incidence following sutureless closure (p = 0.0002). In sutured closure, pursestring technique had the highest hernia rate (64 %). Seven patients underwent operative hernia closure; three secondary to another procedure. Seven patients had their hernias resolve. One patient was lost to follow-up and seven remain under observation with no reported complications.ConclusionsThere is a significant umbilical hernia incidence following sutureless and pursestring sutured gastroschisis closure. This has not led to complications and the majority have not undergone repair.

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