Buried umbilicus: an iatrogenic cause of a discharging umbilical wound.

We report on a patient who had a previous abdominoplasty with umbilical reconstruction. The patient presented one-year postoperatively with periumbilical cellulitis. This was felt to be due to a retained stitch, which when removed improved the patient's symptoms. However, a further recurrence prompted a surgical exploration, which demonstrated that the original umbilicus had been left in place and buried. This was corrected and the patient has had no further problems at subsequent follow-up. This case presents an iatrogenic cause of a discharging umbilicus; it is reported in context with the differential diagnoses, which should be considered for an infected umbilicus.