CONGENITAL DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA: OUR INSTITUTIONAL EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Background: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a developmental defect, in which there is herniation of abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity. This causes pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension to varying degrees. The clinical prole of CDH neonates at a tertiary care institute were studied over a period of 22 months between October 2018 to June 2020. Aims and objectives: To study the demography, including Age, Sex, birth weight, types, associated anomalies, surgery, complications and survival in CDH patients at a tertiary care referral centre in Rajasthan, India. Materials and methods: This was a prospective observational study between October 2018 and June 2020, over 1 year and 9 months, at tertiary referral centre in North-Western India. Clinical data, radiological ndings, pre-operative conditions were studied, intra-operative ndings were noted and post-operative course was studied. Intravenous Sildenal was administered and their effects on clinical improvement was noted. Results:102 cases of CDH were admitted, of which 62 were male and 40 were female. Of these cases, 78 underwent surgical repair, while the rest died prior to surgery. Majority (99) were left sided CDH. And majority (59) were without sac. Contents which were commonly encountered included Stomach, small and large intestine, spleen, liver. Patients who were administered with intravenous sildenal showed clinical improvement in the pulmonary hypertension. Patients with CDH require urgent management of the respiratory distress and pulmonary hypertension, in order to improve their survival.