Radial umbilical dermatofasciolysis to invert the skin following umbilical herniorrhaphy.

BACKGROUND: Umbilical hernia is a common congenital anomaly, and can result in the appearance of a protuberant umbilicus. In select cases, inversion of the umbilical skin can be impaired by the presence of thickened dermis or fascial remnants of the umbilical stalk.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE: After umbilical herniorrhaphy, the skin is everted over the left index finger and radial partial thickness incisions in the fascia and dermis of the undersurface of the umbilicus. The umbilical skin is then inverted and secured to the fascia.

CONCLUSION: This operative technique can allow complete inversion of the umbilical skin creating an aesthetically appealing umbilical hernia repair.