Congenital Hernia of the Umbilical Cord: A Retrospective Case Study

Abstract

Background. Congenital hernia of the umbilical cord (CHUC) is the rarest type of anterior abdominal wall defect, in which an intact umbilical ring is always present and viscera pass through the base of normal-looking umbilicus.Objectives. This study was conducted to document the intraoperative findings and postoperative outcomes of patients with congenital hernia of the umbilical cord up to discharge from a tertiary care center.Methods. This study was a retrospective observational study conducted for two years (August 2020 to July 2022) in the Department of Pediatric Surgery, at the tertiary health care center of UP, India.Results. During this two-year duration, a total of 10 cases with CHUC were seen in our department and were surgically managed. In this study, out of these 10 patients (male 7 and female 3), eight had normal gastrointestinal tract, one had accessory liver tissue on thin pedicle, and one had features of gangrenous bowel. Of these 10 cases, three patients developed postsurgical complications in which two patients developed superficial wound infection while one developed wound dehiscence. No mortality was noted.Conclusions. Congenital hernia of the umbilical cord induces stress on parents and relatives. In this study, we conclude that the majority of cases had normal gastrointestinal tract and had no serious postoperative complications up to discharge.