The survival rate of patients with abdominal wall defects has gradually improved with the advances in the investigation and treatment modalities. The present paper reviews the results of various treatment modalities and also analyses the long term results in these patients. A meta-analysis was performed via a medline search of English written clinical studies containing the text words "abdominal wall defects", gastroschisis and 'omphalocele or exomphalos" from 1953 to 1998. The present consensus on operative management of abdominal wall defect is to provide primary closure, if it can be achieved without haemodynamic or respiratory compromise. Patients with primary closure on analysis were found to have better survival rates, reduced risk of sepsis and overall, a shorter hospital stay. However, resumptions of oral feeds, duration of total parenteral nutrition (usually lasting 10-15 days) and ventilatory support required postoperatively did not significantly differ in the primary and silo technique. Long term outcome of these patients is generally good, but they have high incidence of GER (40-50%) for which they should be on regular follow up.