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The Umbilicus: What Every Surgeon Should Know
McDaniel, JM, Saber, AA, Soltanian, H
University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH
2010-04-01
Presenter: Jarred McDaniel
Affidavit:
Director Name:
Author Category: Resident/Fellow
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: General Reconstruction
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the relevant surgical literature regarding the umbilicus. Serving as the critical fetal potion of the maternal-fetal interface during development, the umbilicus becomes nonfunctional after birth. However, the navel remains the aesthetic center of the abdomen. With the increasing popularity of abdominoplasty and body lift procedures, as well as the increasing use of laparoscopic and single incision modalities, preserving the appearance of the umbilicus after surgery is increasingly important. The surgical literature regarding the umbilicus, history, embryology, anatomy, and surgical approaches are reviewed with special attention to ideal position, fascioligamentous support, and neurovascular support.