The course and surgical management of a complex, giant omphalocele in a term neonate

An omphalocele is an abdominal wall defect characterized by absent abdominal muscles, fascia, and skin. Omphaloceles are frequently associated with chromosomal anomalies (∼50% risk) and malformations, as well as an increased risk of feeding difficulties, failure to thrive, reflux, and bowel obstruction. Management of omphaloceles will inevitably involve surgical closure of the defect, with a variety of potential approaches depending on the institution, defect size, and the associated findings. This case report discusses the outcomes of the multimodal surgical approach used to repair a prenatally diagnosed complex, giant omphalocele in a newborn. The uncommon cystic quality of the defect and the anatomical changes during reduction required multiple techniques to successfully close the defect in a short period of time.