A vitelline duct (VD) anomaly is a relatively common congenital abnormality of the umbilical area. The anomalies include patent vitelline duct (PVD), cyst, fistula or sinus. The incidence is approximately 2% of the populations, but development of symptoms is rare. Recently, we experienced two cases; PVD accompanied by a smallomphalocele and intestinal volvulus due to mesenteric band between Meckel's diverticulum and the mesentery. Thereafter,we evaluated the data of vitelline duct anomalies for 27 years. From 1980 to 2006, 18 cases of VD anomalies were reviewed based on the hospital records retrospectively. There were 15 boys and 3 girls and age ranged from 2 days to 15 years. Among the 18 cases, 15 cases were symptomatic and consisted of Meckel's diverticulum (10 cases), PVD (4 cases) and umbilical polyp (1 case). Three asymptomatic cases of Meckel's diverticulum were found incidentally were and were observed without resection. Ten cases of Meckel's diverticulum were presented with intestinal bleedings (4 cases), intestinal obstructions (5 cases) and perforation (1 case). Wedge resections and segmental resections of ileum were performed in 8 patients and 2 patients, respectively. Postoperative complications were adhesive ileus (1 case) and wound seroma (1 case). Small omphaloceles were accompanied in two of 4 PVD patients. There was 1 small omphalocele case which was accompanied by a prolapse of ileum. In summary, VD anomalies were more common in male and more than half of them were found in patients less than 1 year of age. PVD was diagnosed most frequently in neonates. Meckel's diverticulum presented with intestinal obstruction more frequently than bleeding.

Of 72 patients with vitelline duct and vessel remnants, 45 (62.5 %) had symptomatic lesions. The mean age of the patients was 27.9 months. Males predominated (4.6 : 1). There were 22 cases of Meckel's diverticulum, 6 of Meckel's diverticulum attatched to the umbilicus with a fibrous band, 6 cases of patent vitelline duct, 5 cases of vitelline artery remnants as a fibrous band and 2 cases each of umbilical sinus and polyp, and vitelline cyst. Twenty-three patients (51 %) presented with intestinal obstruction, 6(13 %) with rectal bleeding, 4(9 %) with perforated Meckel's diverticulum, 5 with intestinal juice drainage through umbilicus, 5 with umbilical lesions, 1 with abdominal mass, and 1 with sepsis. Intestinal obstruction due to fibrous band developed during infancy(average age; 4.6 months). Seventeen asymptomatic Meckel's diverticulum, 8 obliterated vitelline artery remnants and 1 vitelline vein remnant as fibrous band, and 1 vitelline cyst were found incidentally at laparotomy. About 82 % of the complicated Meckel's diverticulum presented in infants and children less than 4 years of age.

The omphalomesenteric duct normally obliterates by the sixth week of intrauterine life. Incomplete obliteration results in various abnormalities which may be apparent in the newborn infant. These include fistula resembling ileum, a prolapsed loop of intestine through the umblicus and a fistula draining intstinal contents. The tract may contain ectopic tissue of stomach, colon or pancreas. Although this malformation should be recognizable at birth, 40 % of patients are not treated until after the first month of life. In the past 28 months since .the Samsung Medical Center opened its doors to public, the authors have treated 4 cases of patent omphalomesenteric duct remnant includng one case of T-shaped total prolapse of the duct and adjacent ileum. These cases will be discussed and the literature reviewed.