Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate current possibilities of treatment of newborns with abdominal wall defects: omphalocele and gastroschisis. Setting: Department of Pediatric Surgery, 2nd Medical Faculty Charles University and Faculty Hospital Motol, Prague. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of the treatment results in newborns with defect of abdominal wall. Results: Thirty eight newborns with omphalocele and gastroschisis were treated at the authors` department in the period of 1995 - 2002. Primary closure of defect was possible in 23 newborns (60%), Goretex patch or „silo” technique was used in 13 patients (34%), while two newborns (6%) were not operated on. The overall survival in children with omphalocele was 73%, being 89% in children without chromosomal anomalies. Six infants died: three with trisomy 13, one with trisomy 18, one infant died of sepsis and one had primary pulmonary hypertension and congenital heart defect. The survival in children with gastroschisis was 94%, one child died of multiorgan failure during sepsis. Conclusion: Nowadays prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis or omphalocele is a recommendation for complex examination and consultation in a specialized center. The prognosis for most isolated defects of abdominal wall is good as far as survival and quality of life are concerned.

        Key words: abdominal wall defects, omphalocele, gastroschisis, prenatal diagnosis, survival, isolated defect