[Therapeutic approaches for omphalocele in developing countries: experience of Central University Hospital of Yopougon, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire].

A retrospective study about 80 cases of exomphalos treated in the digestive unit of the paediatric surgery department in Abidjan teaching hospital--Côte d'Ivoire had been performed to analyse the result of this malformation treatment during 8 years. Prenatal diagnosis was made in two cases on six antenatal ultrasounds. Prematurity involved 7% of newborn and their birth weight ranged from 2500 to 4000 grams in 70% of cases. Treatment began in 64% at birth, conservative treatment with merbromine tannage was systematic on the non disrupted exomphalos. Surgery was indicated in the disrupted exomphalos and in the complicated cases of conservative treatment. Intestinal occlusion was the main fatal complication observed in both treatments but most of the time it occurred with surgical closure. Total lethality reached 30%, influenced by exomphalos super infection and by neonatal resuscitation insufficient means. Authors think exomphalos lethality reduction implies antenatal ultrasonographic for early diagnosis which could indicate a possible caesarian section in case of the voluminous exomphalos in order to prevent disruption and neonatal resuscitation operation.