Delayed management of giant omphalocele using silver sulfadiazine cream: an 18-year experience.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE:

To assess the value of topical silver sulfadiazine (SSD) cream in the treatment of babies with a giant omphalocele.

METHODS:

From 1991 to 2008 inclusive, 20 infants with giant omphalocele (defined as >10 cm diameter) were treated with SSD, leaving a large ventral hernia to be repaired at a later date.

RESULTS:

There were 12 boys and 8 girls. Thirteen had prenatal ultrasound diagnosis at a mean gestational age of 23 weeks. The mean gestational age at delivery was 37 weeks, and mean birth weight was 2.5 kg. Nineteen had other anomalies and/or medical problems, 18 of them multiple. The most common was pulmonary hypoplasia (70%). Mechanical ventilation and/or oxygen treatment was required in 15 (75%) for a mean of 10 weeks. SSD was used as primary sac treatment in 5 and secondary treatment in 15 (after Silon pouch 11, Op-site 3, povidone-iodine 1). Six omphalocele sacs were ruptured within the first 5 days of life. SSD was used for a mean of 6 months at a cost of $1 per day. Complications included 2 instances of staphylococcal sepsis and 1 jejunal perforation inside a Silon pouch. Six (30%) died from pulmonary hypoplasia at a mean age of 18 weeks. There were 14 (70%) survivors who went home after a mean of 14 weeks. Of the 14 survivors, 12 had ventral hernias repaired (18 operations with 2 recurrences), and 2 remain with their original ventral hernia.

CONCLUSIONS:

Initial topical coverage with SSD is associated with excellent outcomes for infants with giant omphalocele who cannot undergo immediate closure.

• Authors: Sigmund H Ein, Jacob C Langer
• Journal: Journal of pediatric surgery (J Pediatr Surg) Vol. 47 Issue 3 Pg. 494-500 (Mar 2012) ISSN: 1531-5037 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22424344 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Infective Agents, Local
• Ointments
• Silver Sulfadiazine

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Anti-Infective Agents, Local (economics, therapeutic use)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Drug Costs
• Female
• Hernia, Umbilical (complications, drug therapy, mortality, surgery)
• Herniorrhaphy
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Male
• Ointments
• Ontario
• Retrospective Studies
• Silver Sulfadiazine (economics, therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome