A new umbilicoplasty technique for the management of large umbilical hernia in children

The ideal technique for reconstruction of proboscoid umbilical hernia in children is the subject of ongoing researches. The aim of this study is to describe our umbilicoplasty technique in the surgical repair of proboscoid umbilical hernia and report its results.

The study included 21 children presented with a proboscoid umbilical hernia from 2014 to 2018. All patients had umbilicoplasty by the following technique: skin incisions were marked then a circular incision was made starting near the umbilical scar. We repaired the fascial defects then excised the lateral twin isosceles triangular flaps. A new umbilical depression was created by subcutaneous sutures fixing the center of the umbilical scar to the aponeurosis. We evaluated the results of surgery as excellent, fair or bad based on the criteria of the peripheral rim (raised, flattened or depressed); in addition to the central depression (deep, shallow or absent).

The study included 12 boys (57%) and the age ranged from 19 to 67 months. The mean duration of the procedure was 45 min and the mean hospital stay was 1 day. All patients had excellent early results and after 12 months follow-up, the umbilicus was naturally looking and had an excellent peripheral rim and a central depression.

The described umbilicoplasty technique in the surgical repair of proboscoid umbilical hernia in children is simple and easy with excellent aesthetic results.