title: The intra-umbilical approach in umbilical hernia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the "intra-umbilical incision", a smaller incision compared to classic incisions, in cases of umbilical hernia, and which we believe will contribute to patient satisfaction in aesthetic terms, and also the practicability of such operations.
  
  
  METHODS
  The umbilical margins of eight patients with an umbilical hernia were marked between the levels of 6 and 12 o'clock, and a median intra-umbilical skin incision was performed between these two points. In some cases, where exploration could not be performed sufficiently, the incision was extended horizontally from 6 or 12 o'clock. Hernia repair and mesh placement was then performed using an intra-umbilical approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients were investigated according to the defect size and requirement for intra-umbilical incision extension. No requirement for intra-umbilical incision was encountered in six patients with a facial defect diameter smaller than 4 cm, while the incision had to be extended in two patients with defects greater than 4 cm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intra-umbilical approach in umbilical hernia surgery is aesthetically superior to classical approaches and is a practicable technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Askale State Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sukru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arslan
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ercan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Korkut
keywords: Umbilical hernia; aesthetic; intra-umbilical approach