• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.653-655
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• 2007

Purpose: The umbilicus is an important aesthetic component of the abdomen. Its absence is both cosmetically and psychologically distressing to the patient. Umbilical reconstruction should always be aimed at creating an umbilicus of sufficient depth and good morphology with less scarring. The C-V flap developed for nipple reconstruction was used in an inverted fashion in case of umbilical reconstruction. The aim of this article is to report our experience of scarred umbilical reconstruction using inverted C-V flap. Methods: A 22-year-old woman presented with contracted scar tissue in the umbilical region because she had undergone surgical correction of an umbilical hernia at 5 year of age. Pedicle of the inverted C-V flap was based cephalically. For enhancing depth of the umbilicus, three anchoring sutures to linea alba were done at both lateral and caudal aspects of the umbilical tube. Primary closures were done at donor sites of the V flaps and bolster sutures were done in the caudal direction of the inverted umbilical tube. Results: The patient was satisfied with the appearance of umbilicus. Major complications such as dehiscence, infection, and delayed healing did not occur. Conclusion: The inverted C-V flap is easy and simple technique, and it can produce a satisfactory reconstruction of umbilical structure.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.351-355
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• 2015

The absence or disfigurement of the umbilicus is both cosmetically and psychologically distressing to patients. The goal of aesthetically pleasing umbilical reconstruction is to create a neoumbilicus with sufficient depth and good morphology, with natural-looking superior hooding and minimal scarring. Although many reports have presented techniques for creating new and attractive umbilici, we developed a technique that we term the "four flaps technique" for creating a neoumbilicus in circumstances such as the congenital absence of the umbilicus or the lack of remaining umbilical tissue following the excision of a hypertrophic or scarred umbilicus. This method uses the neighboring tissue by simply elevating four flaps and can yield sufficient depth and an aesthetically pleasing shape with appropriate superior hooding.