A successful thoracoscopic treatment of bilateral congenital false diaphragmal hernia in a newborn

Abstract

Introduction. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) occurs with frequency of 1:2000 to 1:4000 live births. False CDH are more common. Out of unilateral diaphragm defects, left-sided ones predominate (9–24 times more often depending on hernia type). Bilateral diaphragmatic hernia is an extremely rare malformation which accounts for no more than 1% of all diaphragmatic hernias.
 Description of observation. The authors present their own experience in treating a rare clinical case of bilateral false diaphragmatic hernia in a newborn with the left-sided component manifested immediately after the birth and with the right-sided one – in 2 weeks after the correction of the first one, as well as its successful thoracoscopic treatment.
 Conclusion. The authors consider that one of the possible reasons for not detecting this pathology at ultrasound examination is translocation of the abdominal organs to the chest (which can occur antenatally, intra- and postnatally).