title: The omentum: anatomical, metabolic, and surgical aspects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The omentum is acknowledged to have diverse functions in the pathophysiology of intra-abdominal disease. Its angiogenic properties act as a natural defense mechanism in peritonitis and intra-abdominal sepsis. With advancing technology the omentum is revealing itself as a new player in the field of molecular surgery with special reference to cancer, obesity and tissue reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article reviews the existing and potential surgical applications of the omentum.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Outcomes, Research and Education (iCore), St Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland. daniellecol@gmail.com
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Aisling M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hogan
authors.forename: Donal
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: O'Shea
authors.forename: Des C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Winter
mesh_terms: D019149:Bioreactors; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D009852:Omentum / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D023822:Tissue Engineering