Assessment of transfer-time and time-to-surgery as risk factors to survival in Gastroschisis (GS) in a LMIC; an eight-year review.

Background: The management of Gastroschisis in LMICs continues to be a challenge and is associated with very poor outcomes in contrast with HICs where survival rates near 100%. The purpose of this work is to provide an overview of survival over the past 8 years in a high-flow tertiary centre in Africa. It also investigates the effect of transfer-time and time-to-surgery on outcome.

Methods: Retrospective case note review of all GS admissions. The variables assessed were gender, gestational age, weight, type of GS, transfer time, time to surgery and type of surgery. The primary outcome was survival.

Results: A total of 171 GS cases were identified: 148 simple, 23 complex. Seven died before surgery. The median age at surgical intervention was 8.5 h (range, 0-48). Closure options ranged from single-staged (primary fascial, skin, umbilical flap and sutureless closure) or a staged (silo) closure. Overall survival was 34.5%. Cases transferred under 8 h had a 46% survival. Surgery under 12 h of life had highest survival, 45%. Simple GS survived better than complex GS (40% vs 10%). Primary closure had a significantly better survival compared to staged closure (51% vs 18%).

Conclusions: Transfer-time < 8 h plays a vital role in survival of GS cases. Surgical intervention within 12 h of birth showed a statistically significant improvement in outcome. Primary closure was associated with better survival rates.

Level of evidence: Level III.