Chapter 361 Malformations

Congenital peritoneal bands may be responsible for intestinal obstruction; numerous other anomalies can occur in the course of the development of the peritoneum but are rarely of clinical importance. Intra-abdominal herniations infrequently occur through ring-like formations produced by anomalous peritoneal bands. Absence of the omentum or its duplication occurs rarely. Omental cysts arise in obstructed lymphatic channels within the omentum. They may be congenital or can result from trauma and are usually asymptomatic. Abdominal pain or partial small bowel obstruction can result from compression or torsion of the small bowel from traction on the omentum.