Congenital anterior abdominal wall defects

Anterior abdominal wall defects are a common cause of morbidity and even mortality. These include gastroschisis, usually an isolated defect, and exomphalos, a more fundamental failure of abdominal wall formation often seen in association with chromosomal and other systemic anomalies. The worldwide incidence of gastroschisis has risen inexorably over the past 30 years while the incidence of exomphalos, at least at the time of birth, has been relatively static. This article provides an overview of the key aspects of antenatal, perinatal and postnatal management, highlighting areas of controversy where further study is required.