A 36-week preterm newborn with gastroschisis: a rare case report

This case report presents a preterm infant (36 weeks) with gastroschisis, successfully treated using a two-stage surgical approach. The newborn exhibited evisceration of the stomach and small intestine through a small umbilical defect, with significant edema but no additional anomalies. Due to the severity of the edema and limited abdominal capacity, a staged repair was planned. The first stage involved repositioning the stomach and duodenum into the abdominal cavity. In the second stage, the remaining bowel was placed in a sterile sac suspended above the incubator, allowing gradual reduction over 2 days. Enteral nutrition was initiated after 1 week. The approach resulted in a smooth recovery without complications, suture failure, or incisional hernia. This case highlights the importance of meticulous surgical planning in improving outcomes for neonates with complex conditions.