Transumbilical repair of umbilical hernia in children: The covert scar approach
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In brief
In brief
Retrospective study of 134 pediatric patients demonstrates that transumbilical hernia repair achieves superior cosmetic outcomes compared to traditional infraumbilical approach by concealing the incision within the umbilicus, with 97.5% parental satisfaction and comparable 7.4% complication rate.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Background
Umbilical hernia repairs are one of the most commonly performed operations in children. The traditional repair involves an infraumbilical incision, which produces a visible scar. We report a novel technique of umbilical hernia repair through a transumbilical incision, which eliminates the scar by hiding it within the umbilicus.
Methods
We performed a retrospective chart review of 134 patients who had undergone a transumbilical hernia repair at a single institution between 2008 and 2016. Satisfaction with cosmesis and the presence of complications were assessed through parental interviews during follow up visit or by telephone survey. These data were compared to a large volume retrospective analysis of the standard infraumbilical approach.
Results
121 of the 134 patients were evaluated in the clinic or by telephone interview. The overall complication rate was 7.44%. Parents of 118 patients reported satisfaction with the cosmetic result (97.52%). In comparison to the largest study of pediatric infraumbilical repair, there was an improvement in subjective cosmesis without a significant increase in complications.
Conclusion
Transumbilical hernia repair is a safe and cosmetically appealing technique for umbilical hernia repair in children.
Level of evidence
Treatment study, level III.