CONGENITAL OMPHALOCELE AND ITS SURGICAL MANAGEMENT IN LAMB

SUMMARY A newborn, female, lamb was presented for treatment of congenital omphalocele. The ovoid mass (diameter three inches) hanging from the umbilicus was covered by hairless continuation of the umbilical cord. Herniorrhaphy was successfully performed after enlarging the umbilical opening under sedation using diazepam (@ 0.20 mg/kg) and local infiltration anaesthesia with 3.5 ml lignocaine hydrochloride (1%). The lamb recovered completely and was healthy up to seven months observation period. It is concluded that the surgical treatment of lambs with congenital omphalocele have good prognosis provided they are presented promptly without mutilation of the protruding mass.