[A new concept and surgical technic in treating omphalocele].

Omphaloceles, as a malformation of the abdominal wall, is still a difficult problem for the surgeon. In the median and the large omphaloceles, when, besides other viscera, part or the entire liver will herniate surgical integration is only possible provided technical artifices are employed, and in progressive stages. Various therapeutical procedures have been attempted, beginning with the conservative ones, followed by covering of the viscera with skin, and, later on, with various plastics. All these procedures have a series of disadvantages, some of them being of long duration, and have only dubious results while other imply the risk of infection, and make necessary reinterventions. Our procedure, performed in 7 cases involves a two-stage resection of the nonvascular membrane, without interposition of foreign material. In the first surgical stage visceral integration is possible up to 2/3 of the volume of the omphaloceles. After 10-14 days the closure of the abdominal wall becomes possible. In the large omphaloceles, where eventration persists, the reparation of the abdominal wall should be carried out in 3-6 months.