Abstract
This study aims to determine the differences among various diaphragmatic eventration (DE) aetiologies and to compare the outcomes of the operation relative to the use of a diaphragmatic patch. Between 2003 and 2009, 28 patients with a DE who underwent surgery were classified according to the following aetiology: (a) previous operation or disease, (b) congenital/idiopathic and (c) trauma. Patients who received diaphragmatic patches during their operations (plication+patch, P/P, 19 cases) were compared with the patients receiving sole plication during the operation (P, 9 cases). The operations had been performed through a minimal length lateral thoracotomy incision (12-14 cm). The mean age of the patients was 53.3+/-9.8 years. A high hemi-diaphragm (alone or associated with a blunt sinus or a wide mediastinum) was the most prominent chest X-ray (CXR) finding in 19 patients (68%). The postoperative mean forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV(1)) value (2.1+/-0.7) and the dyspnoea score (1.8+/-0.7) were better than the preoperative values (1.7+/-0.6; 3.4+/-0.9, respectively). The average height of the diaphragm (7.8+/-3.1cm) was not correlated with the dyspnoea score and the FEV(1) value. Postoperative complications (4/28 or 14.3%) were minimal, excluding one respiratory insufficiency. The mean follow-up time was 23.4+/-17.8 months. Patients with congenital aetiology were younger, had higher diaphragms, had earlier operations after symptoms started and had better preoperative FEV(1) values. P/P operations were done later than P operations. The P/P method patients had shorter postoperative hospital stays than the P method patients. Two diaphragmatic events (recurrence and herniation) occurred after the operations were performed with the P method. Buttressing the diaphragm by patch after the plication can protect from recurrence of a DE or any diaphragmatic insufficiency. Previous abdominal interventions may increase the complication rate after a DE operation.
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