Issue 2/2023
Brankov, O.
Surgical clinic, UMBAL „Tokuda“ – Sofia
Umbilical disorders are frequently encountered by pediatricians and pediatric surgeons. Failure of the umbilical ring to completely close can result in an umbilical hernia, the most common umbilical disorder. Most umbilical hernias resolve spontaneously without treatment in the first few years of life. The incidence of incarceration or strangulation is rare – approximately 1 in 1,500
umbilical hernias. Surgical repair is generally recommended for hernias with large fascial defects (>1.5 cm), hernias that have failed to spontaneously close by 4 years of age or complicated hernias. Adhesive strapping of the umbilicus may promote early spontaneous umbilical hernia closure.
Direct umbilical hernia must be distinguished from the supraumbilical (indirect) hernia where the peritoneal contents herniated from a point immediately superior to the umbilical ring
Infection (omphalitis), granulomas, and congenital anomalies can also occur in the umbilicus and are seen in infancy. A chronically moist umbilicus may be from an ectopic bowel mucosa (umbilical polyp), or from a patent urachus or a patent vitello-intestinal (omphalomesenteric) tract.
Address for correspondence:
Brankov, O.
Сurgical clinic, UMBAL „Токуда“ – Sofia
51B, „Nikola I. Vaptzarov“, Blvd.
1407, Sofia