Abstract Fifty-four patients with omphalocele were reviewed. In infants who weighed over 2,500 g, had no associated anomalies, and had defects of the abdominal wall smaller than 5 cm, the survival rate was 100 percent. Mortality occurred in infants with severe associated congenital anomalies, with a low birth weight, and with larger defects of the abdominal wall. Selection of treatment should be based on a thorough assessment of each patient with omphalocele.