Supraumbilical incision with U-u umbilicoplasty for congenital duodenal atresia: the Stockholm experience.

BACKGROUND: Minimizing scars has become a major concern in pediatric surgery. Since Tan and Bianchi introduced the minimally invasive umbilical incision for Ramstedt's pyloromyotomy, their technique has been adopted for a variety of neonatal abdominal conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate a modification of the skin incision.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have modified Bianchi's original technique to access the abdomen through the linea alba by introducing a novel U-to-u umbilicoplasty and compare the results with the traditional transverse incision. This new approach improves the abdominal access and is easy to perform.

RESULTS: The operating time with the U-to-u umbilicoplasty is not longer than in standard transverse laparotomy, the access to the abdomen is more than adequate, the incidence of postoperative complications is similar and the cosmetic results are excellent.

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the umbilical approach with this novel U-to-u umbilicoplasty to treat congenital duodenal obstruction in the newborn is a safe and effective method and a good alternative to the standard transverse laparotomy approach.