Question

A friend’s child has a granuloma on their navel, with pus oozing out and accompanied by redness. After hospital examination, it is recommended to undergo surgery, but the parents are confused about the formation and treatment methods of umbilical sinuses.

Answer

Medically referred to as umbilical sinuses, these are channels formed due to the residual umbilical cord. They may continuously discharge a small amount of mucus, and in severe cases, may form fistulas that connect to the small intestine, continuously discharging smelly secretions, even containing feces. Umbilical sinuses are divided into deep and shallow types; deep umbilical sinuses may suffer from recurrent infections and require surgical treatment, while shallow ones can be healed through topical medication. In this case, it is recommended to go to the hospital for a detailed examination, follow the doctor’s advice for surgery or other treatment methods, and use anti-inflammatory medications simultaneously. The specific treatment plan should be followed under the doctor’s professional guidance.