Purse String Umbilicoplasty for Repair of Omphalocele Minor with Review of Literature

Background Umbilicoplasty is required in the repair of omphalocele minor. The author below describes a simple, easy and safe method for the repair of the umbilicus in cases of omphalocele minor. Methods During the period from January 2015 to May 2017, 16 patients (11 males, 5 females) with omphalocele minor were operated by purse string technique. It is a prospective observational study with a level of evidence type 4. One case presented by intestinal obstruction due to twisted Meckel`s diverticulum. Other case presented by intestinal obstruction due to intestinal malrotation. One case the contents were the cecum and appendix. In two cases the sac contained part of the left lobe of the liver. diagnosed antenatally. Thirteen patients presented the same day of birth and 3 patients presented at the 3rd birthday. The sac was intact in 14 cases and ruptured in two. Two cases had hypospadias. One case had absent radius and ulna on the right hand and polydactyl on the left hand. Size of the fascial defects ranged from 2cm to 5cm (mean 3.5 cm). Good outcomes occurred in 14 patients. Conclusion: A good aesthetic appearance obtained when using purse string umbilicoplasty for repair of omphalocele minor.