Reduced port laparoscopic repair of Bochdalek hernia in an adult: A first report

Abstract

Bochdalek hernia is a congenital defect of the diaphragm that usually presents in the neonatal period with life-threatening cardiorespiratory distress. It is rare for Bochdalek hernias to remain silent until adulthood. A 57-year-old woman presented with history of difficulty in swallowing, as well as retching. There was no history of abdominal or thoracic trauma. A chest x-ray showed the herniated stomach clearly. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed a herniated volvulus of the stomach, along with left posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia. The defect was repaired by a single incision laparoscopic technique. We present the first case of a posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia repaired by a reduced port laparoscopic technique in an adult, after an extensive literature search yielded no precedents. This report validates the feasibility of reduced port laparoscopic repair of Bochdalek hernia in an adult, and should be within the remit of the advanced laparoscopic surgeon.