CONCEALED UMBILICAL STOMA - DESCRIPTION OF A MODIFIED TECHNIQUE

Purpose: We describe a technique for creating a concealed umbilical st oma. Materials and Methods: The base of the umbilicus is used as a sup eriorly based skin flap that is incorporated into the spatulated stoma . Six patients have undergone diversion using this technique. The stom a was constructed from appendix in 4 cases, stomach in 1 and tapered i leum. Results: All patients achieved an easily catheterizable hidden u mbilical stoma, are dry on clean intermittent catheterization and have had no stomatitis or peristomal hernia. . Conclusions: This technique for creating a concealed umbilical stoma preserves the native appeara nce of the umbilicus and combines a superior cosmetic result with an e asily catheterizable stoma.