Abdominal wall

Abstract

The chapter contains descriptions of the various anomalies of the abdominal wall. The diagnosis and management is described and illustrated. The anomalies have different degrees of clinical severity. The less severe anomalies, such as hernias and hydroceles are most frequent. The more rare anomalies in the umbilical region, such as the total or partial persistence of the omphalo-enteric duct or the urachus are slightly more serious. The most important and clinically serious anomalies are the large defects: Omphalocele and laparoschisis. The importance of antenatal diagnosis and careful subsequent planning of the management is stressed. Provided the surgical treatment and care is optimal the prognosis of abdominal wall anomalies is excellent for the less serious cases. In omphalocele the prognosis is dependent on the frequent associated anomalies, some of which are in themselves fatal. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.