Lesions of the umbilicus: what the minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon needs to know about the belly button

The umbilicus is viewed as a portal by the laparoscopic surgeon, a doorway to the real business at hand. However, the umbilicus itself may be the site of a variety of lesional conditions. Some of these may be iatrogenic, caused by prior surgical interventions, such as endometriosis or seeding of a malignant neoplasm. Some may be the initial presenting complaint. This review discusses umbilical lesions that may be encountered by the minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon.