Umbilical epithelial cyst in secondary abdominoplasty: case report

A retained epidermal inclusion cyst (REIC) at the umbilicus after abdominoplasty is a rare phenomenon that has had limited description in the literature. This case report describes a woman who came for a secondary abdominoplasty and presented intraoperatively with an unexpected large epidermal inclusion cyst.

The woman was disappointed with the result of a previous abdominal surgery. She initially had severe postoperative wound infection followed by revision surgery and subsequent intermittent secretion in the umbilical region. Then seven years later, hip backplasty combined with liposuction was performed. After another six months, full abdominoplasty combined with exploration of the umbilical region was performed. The surgical exploration showed a large, 3×4.5 cm indurated structure highly suspected to be a REIC. The excision was effective without recurrence, and the healing was uneventful. The patient was very satisfied with the result.

As a typical epidermoid cyst, REIC consists of squamosed stratified epithelial cells that continue to the granular layer. In most cases, the cyst is filled with a keratin-like material. When this tumor is solid, a histologic evaluation may be necessary. When the cyst has been excised, the umbilicus gets reconstructed after the abdominoplasty. A history of poor healing in the umbilicus area may arouse suspicion of an epidermoid cyst. Epidermoid cysts in the region of the umbilicus could easily be overlooked in preparation of the umbilicus.