Abstract
This study aims to determine the epidemiological, therapeutic and diagnostic features of omphalomesenteric fistulas (OMF). We conducted a study of four cases over a period of 10 years, from January 2004 to December 2013. The parameters studied were: frequency, age, sex, clinical and radiological signs, therapeutic and evolutionary features. Frequency was 0.4 cases per year. Patients were aged 11 days, 40 days, 45 days and 3 years respectively (three girls and one boy). Clinical examination showed intestinal fluid discharge from the belly button and belly button bud catheterisable in all the cases. The bud was prolapsed in the patient aged 45 days. Fistulography performed in two cases helped to confirm the diagnosis by showing a communication between the fistula and the small intestine. The assessment of malformations revealed congenital cyanogen heart disease with interventricular communication in the newborn aged 45 days, anorectal cloacal malformation associated with urachus fistula in the newborn aged 11 days. All patients underwent surgery. Semicircular periumbilical incision was performed in the absence of associated abdominopelvic malformations. A communication between the fistula and the ileum was found in the majority of cases. Bowel resection with termino-terminal anastomosis was performed in three cases. Cuneiform resection was performed in one case and was completed by complete resection of the urachal fistulous tract and bladder suture, with colostomy in newborn with urachal fistula and anorectal cloacal malformation. The postoperative course was marked by non-febrile seizures in the first child with good evolution and by superficial parietal suppuration followed by death due to cardiac decompensation in the third case. Omphalomesenteric fistula is rare. Diagnosis is based on clinical examination complemented by the fistulography. Surgical treatment using semicircular periumbilical incision gives good results. However, the assessment of malformations is necessary.