A New Technique Involving a Spherical Stainless Steel Device to Optimize Positioning of the Umbilicus

Abstract

Background

Creating an aesthetically pleasing umbilicus may be challenging due to various factors that involve the patient limitations and suboptimal techniques available to the surgeon. Although many techniques aim to locate the umbilicus after abdominoplasty, none are ideal. The authors use a new technique involving a stainless steel spherical device for definite location of the new neo-umbilicus site.

Methods

Abdominoplasty with full muscle plication and umbilicoplasty was performed to test the effectiveness of this new technique that involves a stainless steel marble called the Umbilicator. It has a diameter of 1.5 cm and three 2-mm holes drilled 120° apart in an equilateral triangle. The Umbilicator is secured to the inferior and superior dermis of the umbilical stalk to help identify the future location of the umbilicus on the abdominal skin. Once the marble is secured, the superior abdominal flap is redraped and trimmed, the suture is repaired, and the location of the umbilicus is determined by feeling for the smooth spherical surface bump with gentle downward pressure on the overlying abdominal skin located within the proximity of the umbilicus.

Results

The result of this technique produced a definitive means of identifying and delivering the umbilical stalk during abdominoplasty. This technique has been performed in 23 consecutive abdominoplasty procedures with no difficulties locating the umbilical stalk and no infections resulting from the procedure.

Conclusions

Accurate identification of the umbilicus provides the ability to create an aesthetically pleasing neo-umbilicus, thus optimizing abdominoplasty results.

Level of Evidence IV

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