Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Transmesenteric Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty in Trendelenburg Position for Horseshoe Kidney with Hydronephrosis
Published on: July 8, 2025
Umbilicoplasty in children with huge umbilical hernia
Akakpo-Numado Gamedzi Komlatsè1, Mihluedo-Agbolan Komlan Anani, Boume Missoki Azanledji
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital, BP 57 Lomé, Togo.
Insights
A novel two lateral flaps umbilicoplasty technique effectively treats huge umbilical hernias (HUH) in children, yielding excellent anatomical and cosmetic outcomes with minimal complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
- Cosmetic Surgery
Background:
- Huge umbilical hernias (HUH) are common in Black African children.
- Traditional surgical methods for umbilical reconstruction have varied outcomes.
- Skin flap techniques offer superior aesthetic results for umbilical reconstruction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel two lateral flaps umbilicoplasty technique for treating huge umbilical hernias in children.
- To evaluate the anatomical and cosmetic results of this technique.
- To assess the complication rates associated with the procedure.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of children treated for HUH between January 2012 and December 2013.
- HUH defined by a base diameter (BD) exceeding 3 cm.
- A two lateral, symmetrical flaps technique was employed for umbilicoplasty, aiming to reconstruct the neo-umbilicus.
Main Results:
- Twelve children (7 boys, 5 girls) with a mean age of 5 years 6 months were included.
- Mean BD was 5.6 cm and mean HUH height was 7.45 cm.
- 10 excellent and 2 fair results were achieved with a mean follow-up of 10 months; complications included transient hematoma, granulation tissue, and cheloid scars.
Conclusions:
- The two lateral flaps umbilicoplasty is a simple and effective technique for HUH in children.
- The technique provides satisfactory anatomical and cosmetic results.
- This method is well-adapted for pediatric patients with huge umbilical hernias.
Background:
Huge umbilical hernias (HUH) are voluminous umbilical hernia (UH) that are frequent in black African children. Several surgical techniques are used in their treatment for umbilical reconstruction, but techniques using skin flaps provide better aesthetic results. In this study, we presented our technique of umbilicoplasty in HUH, and its results.
Patients And Methods:
It is a retrospective study on children treated for HUH, from January 2012 to December 2013. The UH was called HUH when its basis diameter (BD) exceeds 3 cm. Every HUH was characterised by its height, BD and morphology. Our technique was a two lateral flaps technique; the flaps are symmetrical and drawn so as to reconstitute the different parts of the umbilicus. The results were appreciated with criteria, including the peripheral ring and the central depression of the neo-umbilicus.
Results:
Twelve children were concerned (7 boys and 5 girls). Their mean age was 5 years and 6 months. The mean BD was 5.6 cm (extremes 3 and 8 cm), and the mean height of the HUH was 7.45 cm (extremes 3 and 9 cm). All underwent umbilicoplasty. In early post-operative period, two children presented a transitory subcutaneous hematoma. Late complications were granulation tissue with two children, and cheloid scar with one. With a mean follow-up of 10 months, we had 10 excellent results and two fair results according to our criteria.
Conclusion:
Our two lateral flaps umbilicoplasty is well-adapted to HUH in children. It is simple and assures a satisfactory anatomical and cosmetic result.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
Abdominal Regions and Quadrants
The simpler quadrants approach, which is more commonly used in medicine, subdivides the cavity with one horizontal and one vertical line that intersects at the patient's umbilicus (navel). The four...

