What question did this study set out to answer?

To present a rare case of minor omphalocele associated with a patent vitellointestinal duct and review existing literature on management.

May 10, 2026Open Access

Omphalocele minor in a neonate with a patent vitellointestinal duct: a case report and insights on management from a systematic review of case reports

Puntos clave

To present a rare case of minor omphalocele associated with a patent vitellointestinal duct and review existing literature on management.
Presented a unique case of a preterm neonate with minor omphalocele and a patent vitellointestinal duct.
Conducted a systematic review from inception to April 2025 using PRISMA guidelines, analyzing existing case reports.
Included 20 case reports of neonates with similar conditions, assessing demographics and management outcomes.
Surgical intervention involved resection of Meckel diverticulum with end-to-end ileo-ileal anastomosis, leading to an uneventful postoperative recovery.
Among the systematic review, 80% of cases had favorable outcomes with one reported mortality.
Mean gestational age was 38.18 weeks, with a mean birth weight of 2.84 kg observed in the reviewed cases.

Resumen

Abstract Background Minor exomphalos is a rare congenital abdominal wall defect < 5 cm. The condition is characterized by protrusion of abdominal organs covered with amnion, Wharton’s jelly and parietal peritoneum. Its association with a patent vitellointestinal duct is exceedingly uncommon with only 30 cases reported in literature. Methods We present a unique case report and a systematic review of similar existing case reports. A systematic review was conducted from inception to April 2025, adhering to PRISMA guidelines to include case reports of neonates with minor exomphalos and a patent vitellointestinal duct. The search was done on Pubmed, BMJ case reports, International Journal of Surgery Case Reports, Journal of surgical case reports, Taylor&Francis, and web of science. Results A preterm male neonate (34 + 4 weeks, 2.2 kg) born to a diabetic mother presented with a minor omphalocele exhibiting meconium discharge. Surgical exploration on day two of admission revealed a Meckel diverticulum with a patent vitellointestinal duct (PVID). Resection of the Meckel diverticulum with end-to-end ileo-ileal anastomosis was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the 14th day. Our initial search yielded 673 studies, with 20 case reports (25 patients) meeting the inclusion criteria. The mean gestational age was 38.18 ± 1.53 weeks, and the mean birth weight was 2.84 ± 0.65 kg. Meckel diverticulum was associated in 40% of cases, and other system anomalies in 44%. Standard treatment was surgical fistulectomy with end-to-end anastomosis (44%) or diverticulectomy with fistulectomy and anastomosis (36%). One case was managed conservatively initially. Postoperative outcomes were generally favorable (80% uneventful), with one mortality reported. Conclusion Our case report and systematic review highlight the demographics, symptomatology, and management of exomphalos minor with PVID. It can be concluded from our review that most cases are males from the southeast countries and that prompt surgical management is necessary. Graphical Abstract

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