Polymer membrane covering of eviscerated bowel in neonate

S. H. Ein and B. Shandling

When a siliconized nylon pouch prematurely separates leaving incompletely covered bowel, a difficult if not urgent problem develops. To reapply a new pouch is to invite infection and further separation. In two such instances, we have applied a new polymer membrane to the dome of bowel partly covered with some granulations. This method avoids further emergency operations and hastens the formation of a ventral hernia. Within seven to 14 days, the exposed peritoneal contents were covered with granulations. This polymer membrane seems to have all the benefits of a biological dressing under which it aids the more rapid growth of granulations.