ABSTRACT
Omphalocele (also known as exomphalos) consists of a
central abdominal wall defect that permits herniation of
abdominal viscera into the umbilical cord. A membrane that
is made of Wharton’s jelly, from which the umbilical cord
emerges (Fig. 71.1), covers the viscera. Pare provided the first
description of an omphalocele in 1634. Hey reported the
successful treatment of an omphalocele by primary repair in
1803, and Ahlfeld described the escharotic treatment using
alcohol in 1899. In 1814, Scarpa observed that omphaloceles
were often associated with other congenital anomalies.
