2026 Clinician Corner - The course and surgical management of a complex, giant omphalocele in a term neonate

CE BROKER: For Texas physicians who have updated their EthosCE profile, credit claimed for this activity will be reported to CE Broker.

Abstract 

An omphalocele is a common abdominal wall defect characterized by absent abdominal muscles, fascia, and skin. Omphaloceles are frequently associated with chromosomal anomalies (~50% risk) and malformations, as well as an increased risk of feeding difficulties, failure to thrive, reflux, and bowel obstruction. Management of omphaloceles will inevitably involve surgical closure of the defect, with a variety of potential approaches depending on the institution, defect size, and the associated findings. This case report discusses the outcomes of the multimodal surgical approach used to repair a prenatally diagnosed complex, giant omphalocele in a newborn. The uncommon cystic quality of the defect and the anatomical changes during reduction required multiple techniques to successfully close the defect in a short period of time.

Keywords:  Feeding difficulty; omphalocele; surgical closure

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Faculty credentials/disclosure 

Julia Plocica, BSa, Tala Brack, MDb, and James Davis, MDc

aDepartment of Medical Education, Texas A&M College of Medicine/Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA

bDepartment of Neonatology, Baylor University Medical Center and Pediatrix Medical Group, Dallas, Texas, USA

cDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center and Pediatrix Surgical Associates, Dallas, Texas, USA

Corresponding author: Tala Brack, MD, Department of Neonatology, Baylor University Medical Center, 3500 Gaston Ave., Dallas, TX 75246 (email: [email protected], Twitter/X: @Tala_Talks_NICU)

The planners and faculty for this activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. The authors report no funding. The patient consented to publication of this case report.

Corresponding author: Austin T. Jones, MD, 4310 James Casey St., Building 3, Austin, TX 78745 (e-mail: [email protected])

ORCID Austin T Jones: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4733-1946

The planners and faculty for this activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. The authors report no funding. The patient consented to publication of this case report.

Process

Click the "add to cart/begin" button, pay any relevant fee, take the quiz, complete the evaluation, and claim your CME credit.  You must achieve 100% on the quiz with unlimited attempts available.

  • By completing this process, you are attesting that you have read the journal article.

Expiration date:

Credit eligibility for this article is set to expire on September 1, 2027.

Learning Objectives

After completing the article, the learner should be able to:

  • Recognize the potential clinical presentations of omphalocele in neonates as well as common co-occurring anomalies.
  • Recognize the respiratory and gastrointestinal complications that may occur in patients with giant omphaloceles.
  • Describe the different surgical approaches used to repair an omphalocele, including methods that may allow a shortened NICU stay.

Key Points 

  • An omphalocele is a common abdominal wall defect characterized by the midline protrusion of membrane-covered abdominal contents. Omphaloceles frequently co-occur with chromosomal anomalies and extra-abdominal manifestations.
  • Infants with omphaloceles are at increased risk of feeding difficulties, failure to thrive, reflux, and bowel obstruction, but many eventually achieve normal gastrointestinal function.
  • Many strategies exist for closing an omphalocele defect, and occasionally a multimodal approach is necessary to facilitate a rapid closure.

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Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 1.00 American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) MOC Part 2

    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

  • 1.00 American Board of Surgery (ABS) Accredited CME

    Successful completion of this CME activity enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 1.00 Attendance
Course opens: 
09/01/2026
Course expires: 
09/01/2027
Cost:
$25.00

Julia Plocica, BSa, Tala Brack, MDb, and James Davis, MDc

aDepartment of Medical Education, Texas A&M College of Medicine/Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA

bDepartment of Neonatology, Baylor University Medical Center and Pediatrix Medical Group, Dallas, Texas, USA

cDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center and Pediatrix Surgical Associates, Dallas, Texas, USA

Corresponding author: Tala Brack, MD, Department of Neonatology, Baylor University Medical Center, 3500 Gaston Ave., Dallas, TX 75246 (email: [email protected], Twitter/X: @Tala_Talks_NICU)

The planners and faculty for this activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose. The authors report no funding. The patient consented to publication of this case report.

Accreditation

The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

ABS CC

Successful completion of this CME activity enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

ABIM MOC

 Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.0 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) MOC Part 2

    Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

  • 1.00 American Board of Surgery (ABS) Accredited CME

    Successful completion of this CME activity enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    The A. Webb Roberts Center for Continuing Medical Education of Baylor Scott & White Health is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
  • 1.00 Attendance

Price

Cost:
$25.00
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