Splanchnic perfusion pressure: a better predictor of safe primary closure than intraabdominal pressure in neonatal gastroschisis

Background/PurposeBoth measured intraabdominal pressure (IAP) and calculated splanchnic perfusion pressure (SPP) have been advocated for use in operative management of gastroschisis. We directly compared these 2 clinical indices.MethodsInstitutional review board–approved multi-institutional retrospective review from 3 centers with 112 subjects. Splanchnic perfusion pressure was recorded as mean arterial pressure–IAP. We compared the clinical utility of IAP and SPP using univariate and multivariate regression analyses.ResultsCalculated mean SPP was higher among neonates requiring silo placement compared to those without (39.0 ± 1.9 vs 33.7 mm Hg, P < .01). Measured IAP levels were similar between groups (11.5 ± 1.1 vs 10.0 ± 0.5, mm Hg, P < .4). On a receiver operating characteristic curve, the inflection point for more than 90% specificity for silo placement was at an SPP of 44. In multivariate regression analysis adjusting for all factors below, SPP was independently associated with silo placement (odds ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval 1.1-1.3, P < .01), and IAP was not (odds ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval <1.0-1.5, P < .1).ConclusionsThese data suggest that SPP is a stronger predictor than IAP for the ability to achieve primary closure in the management of neonatal gastroschisis. We infer from these data that intraoperative SPP of more than 43 mm Hg may obviate the need for silo placement.