A method of reconstructing a natural-looking umbilicus in abdominoplasty

The umbilicus, in the opinion of the authors, is a significant aesthetic unit of the abdominal area. Restoration of this structure to its most natural form in abdominoplasty, breast reconstruction, or primary reconstruction of the umbilicus due to surgery or trauma has been the goal of plastic surgeons from the early times of modern plastic surgery. The authors present a technique of umbilicoplasty that transfers the incisions and suture line deep to the level of the rectus muscle. This procedure can result in the appearance of a normal umbilicus in many patients. Umbilicoplasty, done as part of an abdominoplasty, or to restore the umbilicus due to surgical loss, has progressed during time. However, the most significant disadvantage has been the incisions and scars around the new umbilicus, which detract from the aesthetic value of the newly constructed umbilicus. Any attempt to give a more natural look to it thus far has been less than satisfactory in our hands. In the last several years, we have concealed the scar deep in the bottom of the umbilicus, with good initial results.