[Rare umbilical anomalies]

Umbilicus is a scar, which is the place of the previous merger of the fetus with the umbilical cord. After birth, it has no known function, however, unless the umbilical annulus is completely closed, umbilical hernia may occur. Umbilical scar is also an area where may occur a number of anomalies that may be present alone or together with umbilical hernia. Failure of involution leads to persistence of omphalomesenteric duct and urachal remnants. These embryonic remnants may cause more or less significant clinical problems, or may be completely asymptomatic and may be diagnosed at random.

The authors present their own group of patients who were diagnosed and dealt with the defect omphalomesenteric duct or urachus. In past 7 years we observed 35 children with these abnormalities. A large group of patients represents incidental findings during elective surgery for umbilical hernia. Another large group are patients with symptomatic or asymptomatic Meckel's diverticulum. The anatomical observations, clinical manifestations, complications and treatment of these anomalies are mentioned.

A total of 35 children were found with these birth defects. In 23 cases we observed omphalomesenteric duct disorders and 12 urachal remnants were reported. Of these, 12 abnormalities were found incidentally during elative procedure for umbilical hernia. Asymptomatic or symptomatic Meckel's diverticulum appeared in 16 cases. Surgical treatment included resection or exstirpation, if urachal anomaly was accompanied then partial resection of the bladder vertex was added. Postoperative complications emerged in 4 cases, three times it was ileus from adhesions 6 months after surgery, once postoperative cystitis appeared and was treated conservatively.

Birth abnormalities of the umbilicus are relatively rare diseases that may occur in the pediatric population. Omfalomesenteric duct and urachal anomalies constitute a major group of these congenital disorders and are often associated with umbilical hernia. They can be diagnosed soon after birth or later in life. Surgical treatment involves excision or radical exstirpation to prevent early or late complications (urachal carcinoma in adulthood).