Closure of giant omphaloceles by the abdominal wall component separation technique in infants.
OBJECTIVE
Several techniques have been described to repair giant omphaloceles. There is no procedure considered to be the criterion standard worldwide. The aim of the present prospective study was to analyze the early and late results of secondary closure of giant omphaloceles using the component separation technique (CST) in infants.


METHODS
From January 2004 to January 2007, 10 consecutive pediatric patients with a giant omphalocele were treated at our department. Initially, patients were treated conservatively. After epithelialization of the omphalocele, the abdominal wall was reconstructed using CST. Patients were monitored for complications during admission, and all patients were seen for follow-up.


RESULTS
Component separation technique was performed at median age of 6.5 months (range, 5-69 months). The median diameter of the hernia was 8 cm (range, 6-9 cm). There was no mortality. The postoperative course was uneventful in 7 patients. Complications were seen in 3 patients (infection, skin necrosis, and hematoma). Median hospital stay was 7 days. After median follow-up of 23.5 months (range, 3-39 month), no reherniations were found.


CONCLUSIONS
The CST is a safe 1-stage procedure for secondary closure in children with a giant omphalocele without the need for prosthetic material and with good clinical outcome.
van Eijck
Floortje C
FC
Department of Surgery, Alysis Health Care, Location Rijnstate, Arnhem, The Netherlands.
de Blaauw
Ivo
I
Bleichrodt
Robert P
RP
Rieu
Paul N M A
PN
van der Staak
Frans H J M
FH
Wijnen
Marc H W A
MH
Wijnen
Rene M H
RM
D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006554:Hernia, Umbilical / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000601:surgery*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013718:Tensile Strength; D016896:Treatment Outcome