Laparoscopic resection of the umbilical urachal remnant for umbilical urachal sinus

Abstract

We present two cases of umbilical urachal sinus which were successfully treated by laparoscopic resection. A 23-year-old man (case 1) and a 17-year-old woman (case 2) presented to the hospital with omphalitis. After conservative treatment with antibiotics and drainage, both underwent a laparoscopic resection using a three-port method under pneumoperitoneum. After the resection of bilateral medial umbilical ligaments, the umbilical urachal remnant was resected from the bladder and dissected off the abdominal wall. The confluence of the urachus and the bladder was ligated using absorbable sutures and the intracorporeal knot tying technique. In case 1, the umbilicus was completely resected due to the presence of chronic inflammation ; subsequently, an umbilical plasty was done. In case 2, since the infection had subsided by the time of the operation, her umbilicus could be preserved. Laparoscopic resection of the umbilical urachal remnant using the intracorporeal knot tying technique is useful as it results in a good cosmetic outcome that is cost-effective.