Characteristics of neonates with omphalocele operated surgically with regional and local anesthesia

Abstract

Introduction: the omphalocele is a congenital defect consisting of a herniation in the abdominal wall. The intestines, liver or other organs protrude through the navel and are wrapped in a thin, almost transparent sac.

Objective: to characterize from the demographic, clinical and epidemiological point of view the neonates with omphalocele, surgically treated with regional and local anesthesia in the Central Hospital of Benguela, Republic of Angola.

Method: a prospective descriptive observational research was carried out in the period between September 2011 to August 2013. The population was constituted by the totality of neonates that were born with the defect, and the sample by the 17 that met the inclusion criteria. The initial preparation, anesthetic, surgical and postsurgical procedures were completed.

Results: male neonates predominated (52,9 %) and those under 24 hours of age (41,2 %). In 11 of the operated patients, associated malformations were identified (64,7 %), with the cardiovascular ones being the most frequent (35,3 %). More than half presented large omphaloceles (64,7 %). However, total closure was achieved in more than half of the total number of operated patients (58,8 %). Partial dehiscence of the surgical wound was the most frequent complication (37,5 %). Mortality was low (17,65 %).

Conclusions: regional and local anesthesia was a therapeutic option for the surgical closure of the omphalocele due to the technological limitations of the developing countries to avoid the death of children born with this malformation