Use of Paralysis in Silo-Assisted Closure of Gastroschisis

ObjectiveTo examine the association between pre-closure neuromuscular paralysis and time to final surgical closure for infants with gastroschisis undergoing silo reduction.Study designThis study was an exploratory review of observational variables obtained from the Canadian Pediatric Surgery Network database. The focus was on the subset of infants with gastroschisis undergoing silo reduction between May 2005 and March 2009. Of the 186 infants, paralysis use could be ascertained for 167 infants (79 received pre-closure paralysis and 88 received none). Groups were compared by using statistical tests, with relationships explored using regression analysis.ResultsInfants receiving paralysis took longer to achieve closure by an average of 3 days (8 versus 5 days; P < .001) and had greater mean number of ventilation days (12 versus 7 days; P < .001). The relationship between paralysis and days to closure remained after adjusting for other variables.ConclusionsIn infants with gastroschisis undergoing silo reduction, use of paralysis was associated with longer time to closure. Pre-closure paralysis should be carefully weighed in this population.