Simultaneous Use of Intra-abdominal and Subcutaneous Tissue Expansion in Treatment of Giant Omphalocele: A Case Report

Omphalocele is a congenital malformation of the abdominal wall consisting of a protrusion of the abdominal contents at the base of the umbilical cord. These defects often present significant anatomical and physiological challenges for reduction and closure, necessitating careful consideration of closure methods. Tissue expansion has emerged as an alternative technique to restore abdominal domain in omphalocele patients. The authors present a case of a 4-year-old female with a giant omphalocele, where both intra-abdominal and subcutaneous tissue expansion were utilized to restore abdominal domain and expand the soft tissue envelope for skin closure. The simultaneous use of intra-abdominal and subcutaneous tissue expansion represents a safe and effective strategy for achieving primary closure in patients with giant omphalocele.