Marked (24-fold) elevation of peritoneal cavity drainage fluid vascular endothelial growth factor after successful "patch, drain, and wait" approach for extensive midgut necrosis in a newborn

In a current publications, it has been suggested that hypoxia-triggered "good angiogenesis" involving hypoxic up-regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) molecules, genes, and receptors is likely responsible in a major way for the remarkable gut and patient salvage experience associated with use of the "patch, drain, and wait" (PD&W) surgical approach to perforated necrotizing enterocolitis and midgut volvulus (MGV) with extensive ischemia/necrosis. We report a case in which extensive ischemia/necrosis in a newborn with gastroschisis (likely MGV-induced) was managed successfully by PD&W with an associated marked (24-fold) elevation of VEGF in drainage fluid at 7 days post-initiation of PD&W.