title: Laparoscopic excision of symptomatic urachal anomalies: a technique to restore the natural appearance of the umbilicus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent reports on laparoscopic surgery for urachal anomalies have not described any techniques to restore the natural appearance of the umbilicus. In this report, we present a simple technique that enables complete resection of urachal anomalies while preserving the natural appearance of the umbilicus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laparoscopic excision of symptomatic urachal anomalies was performed for 4 men and 2 women. After dissecting the urachal lesion along the preperitoneal plane toward the umbilicus, the cephalic side of the lesion was ligated and the skin at the base of the umbilicus was divided while compressing the anterior abdominal wall to ensure complete removal of the lesion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The laparoscopic procedure was successfully completed with minimal blood loss, and the umbilicus could be restored to its natural appearance in all the cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first report to describe a procedure for restoring the natural appearance of the umbilicus. This simple, alternative approach yields better cosmetic results and, therefore, will be useful, especially in younger patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Research, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan. nozaki0921@yahoo.co.jp
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nozaki
authors.forename: Keisuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ichimatsu
authors.forename: Takatoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.forename: Akihiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Hideki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fuse
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014472:Umbilicus / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014497:Urachus / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult