Is splanchnic perfusion pressure more predictive of outcome than intragastric pressure in neonates with gastroschisis?

Background: The purpose of this study is to determine whether calculated splanchnic perfusion pressure (SPP) is more predictive of outcome than measured intragastric pressure (IGP) in patients with gastroschisis. Methods: Retrospective chart review from 1997 through 2003 of 12 patients with gastroschisis. Results: Eight total patients with gastroschisis underwent reduction and had adequate data for analysis. One patient underwent reduction on day of life (DOL) 6; the remainder underwent reduction on DOL 1. All patients had postreduction IGP <20 mm Hg. The correlation coefficient of IGP and date of extubation was 0.20 and of SPP and date of extubation was -0.51. The correlation coefficient of IGP and return of bowel function was -0.06 and of SPP and return of bowel function was -0.50. Conclusion: SPP may be more predictive of outcome than IGP after gastroschisis repair. (C) 2004 Excerpta Medica, Inc. All rights reserved.