Umbilical cord sparing technique of umbilicoplasty in infants with giant omphalocele

Omphalocele is a congenital defect of the abdominal wall characterized by the absence of abdominal muscles,fascia,and skin.1 According to the size of the abdominal wall defect and bulge,it can be divided into small or giant omphalocele.2 Surgery to repair omphalocele includes excision of the amniotic sac,individual ligation of the umbilical vessels at the level of the peritoneum,fascial closure,and reconstruction of the skin with a circumferential subcuticular purse-string suture.34 However,this technique cannot reconstruct a well-formed umbilical cord,which flattens out or disappears.This study aims to introduce an umbilical cord-sparing method to reconstruct the umbilical cord of children with giant omphalocele,thereby improving the appearance of the umbilical cord.