Between 1974 and 1989, 49 out of 83 children with gastroschisis or omphalocele underwent duraplastic enlargement of the anterior abdominal wall. The solvent dried dura proved to be the most useful material, which could be left in place even after a scar had formed. Abdominal complications depend on preexisting damage of the intestine and on the intraabdominal pressure resulting from closure. Long-term disturbances of the gastrointestinal and abdominal wall function are comparable to the results of other reconstructive methods.