Large Diaphragmatic Defects Research Articles

Risk Factors and Management of Intraoperative Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Endoscopic Treatment of Pituitary Adenoma: Analysis of 492 Patients.

To determine risk factors and management of intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage in endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma surgery. We conducted a retrospective review of 492 patients who, between April 2012 and August 2015, underwent endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgeries for resection of pituitary adenoma. A multivariate statistical analysis was performed to investigate the association of some risk factors with intraoperative CSF leakage. Intraoperative CSF leaks were classified as grade 0, no leak observed; grade 1, small leak without obvious diaphragmatic defect; grade 2, moderate leak; or grade 3, large diaphragmatic defect. Repair methods were based on the CSF leak grade. Intraoperative CSF leakage occurred in 86 cases (17.5%). On univariate analysis, there were 3 factors associated with an increased intraoperative CSF leak rate: 1) repeat surgery (repeat 30.0% vs. primary 16.4%; P= 0.033), 2) consistency of the adenoma (tenacious, 27.3% vs. soft, 13.5%; P= 0.000), and 3) tumor size (22.0 ± 9.7mm vs. 25.4 ± 11.5 mm; P= 0.007). However, on multivariate analysis, only tumor consistency (P= 0.001; odds ratio, 2.379) and tumor size (P= 0.026; odds ratio, 1.032) were independently associated with intraoperative CSF leaks. In the 86 cases with intraoperative CSF leaks, the degree of intraoperative CSF leakage was categorized grade 1 in 30 cases, grade 2 in 25 cases, and grade 3 in 31 cases. Postoperative CSF leak repair failures occurred in 6 cases (1.2%). Intraoperative CSF leaks have a propensity to occur in cases with fibrous or large tumors. Once an intraoperative leak is identified, our graded cranial base repair method is safe and reliable.

Musculoskeletal abnormalities in congenital diaphragmatic hernia survivors: Patterns and risk factors: Report of a Japanese multicenter follow-up survey.

The aim of this study was to investigate the natural history and associated predictors of musculoskeletal deformities in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) survivors. A multicenter retrospective survey was conducted among CDH patients between January 2006 and December 2010 in Japan, and a follow-up survey was performed between September 2013 and October 2013. One hundred and eighty-two (79.8%) of the 228 patients were alive. An orthopedic survey of 159 survivors without severe coexisting congenital anomalies was subsequently carried out, and the rates of pectus excavatum (PE), scoliosis and chest asymmetry were evaluated. Scoliosis, PE and chest asymmetry were found in 20 (12.6%), 19 (11.9%) and 12 (7.5%) patients, respectively. In total, 44 patients (27.7%) developed orthopedic abnormalities. Reduction in the oxygenation index within 24 h after birth (P = 0.044), large diaphragmatic defects (P = 0.047) and patch repair (P = 0.014) were predictive for scoliosis. In addition, Apgar score at 5 min was significantly lower in the patients who developed PE (P = 0.034); and stomach herniation (P = 0.004) and liver herniation (P = 0.013) at prenatal diagnosis and large diaphragmatic defects (P = 0.036) were predictive of chest asymmetry. Approximately one-quarter of the survivors developed musculoskeletal abnormalities in the present survey of CDH patients. These data suggest that each musculoskeletal abnormality has its own specific predictors.

Partial replacement of left hemidiaphragm in dogs by either cryopreserved or decellularized heterograft patch

Large diaphragmatic defects are still a challenging issue for reconstruction using either synthetic prosthesis or bioprosthesis. To evaluate the possibility of using diaphragm allograft as a natural bioprosthesis in humans, we conducted a two-group study and compared cryopreserved and decellularized diaphragmatic heterograft patched in a canine model. At the end of organ harvesting from a human donor, the left hemidiaphragm was taken to the laboratory in phosphate-buffered saline solution. The next step was freezing the grafts at -80°C, and preserving them for up to 2 months in Group 1. It was subjected to a detergent-enzymatic method (containing sodium deoxycholate/DNase lavations) of decellularization for 25 cycles in Group 2. Through left thoracotomy in the eighth intercostal space, cryopreserved patches in six dogs and decellularized patches in five dogs replaced the diaphragm. During the follow-up, sonography was done in all animals, but three and two dogs in Group 1 and 2 underwent computed tomography (CT) scan, respectively. The animals were euthanized after 6 months. There was no mortality. Sonography showed only motion impairment of the patches in all cases. In Group 1, CT scan showed mild atelectasis and scattered infiltration in the left lower lobe, fibrotic bands and minimal fluid collection under the diaphragm. In Group 2, CT scan showed scattered fibrotic bands and mild to moderate elevation of the left hemidiaphragm. There was no evidence of gross disruption and complete healing of the suture line. Necropsy in both groups showed patches were completely replaced with a dense fibrous tissue. In Group 1, focal calcification was noticeable in every case and foreign body-type granulomas were clearly seen all over the grafted tissue. Histology in Group 2 animals showed less inflammatory cell infiltration and scattered foreign body granulomas in comparison with the cryopreserved patch graft. The gross healing process in the decellularized heterograft is similar to the cryopreserved diaphragm but with fewer inflammatory cells and foreign body granulomas on histology. Both of them can be used instead of bioprostheses with regard to the fact that the decellularized patch technique is more complex and expensive. It is recommended to compare them with commercial bioprostheses.

Correlation of MRI Brain Injury Findings with Neonatal Clinical Factors in Infants with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

Infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia are reported to have evidence of brain MR imaging abnormalities. Our study aimed to identify perinatal clinical factors in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia that are associated with evidence of brain injury on MR imaging performed before hospital discharge. MRIs performed before hospital discharge in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia were scored for brain injury by 2 pediatric neuroradiologists. Perinatal variables and clinical variables from the neonatal intensive care unit stay were analyzed for potential associations with brain MR imaging findings. Fifty-three infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (31 boys) were included. At least 1 abnormality was seen on MR imaging in 32 infants (60%). The most common MR imaging findings were enlarged extra-axial spaces (36%), intraventricular hemorrhage (23%), ventriculomegaly (19%), white matter injury (17%), and cerebellar hemorrhage (17%). The MR imaging brain injury score was associated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (P = .0001), lack of oral feeding at discharge (P = .012), use of inotropes (P = .027), and gastrostomy tube placement before hospital discharge (P = .024). The MR imaging brain injury score was also associated with a large diaphragmatic defect size (P = .011). Most infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia have at least 1 abnormality identified on MR imaging of the brain performed before discharge. The main predictors of brain injury in this population are a requirement for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, large diaphragmatic defect size, and lack of oral feeding at discharge.

Primary Combined Latissimus Dorsi and Serratus Anterior Flap Repair of Right-Sided Congenital Diaphragmatic Agenesis in a Neonate.

Large diaphragmatic defects can be repaired with latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior muscle flaps. We report the first successful primary repair of complete congenital diaphragmatic agenesis using a combination of autologous living bio-tissue and synthetic mesh in a neonate born in the NMC Specialty Hospital in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in May 2014. Poor Apgar scores, a scaphoid abdomen and absent breath sounds over the right hemithorax were observed at birth. Chest and abdominal X-rays revealed a diaphragmatic hernia. The neonate was stabilised using high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, nitric oxide and sildenafil. The right diaphragm was reconstructed using combined latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior muscle flaps reinforced by a flexible composite mesh. At 12 months old, the infant had normal respiratory function and the diaphragm was intact. No disabilities of the shoulder or scapula were observed. This case indicates that a combination of living tissue and synthetic mesh can be used to reconstruct a functional diaphragm with efficient pleuroperitoneal separation.

Comparative Study of Bovine Pericardium and Gore-Tex in Tissual Interaction with Wistar Rats Diaphragm

Introduction: Simple suture isn’t always possible in large congenital diaphragmatic hernia (cdh) defects. Synthetic materials are used for correction such as Silastic&reg, Gore-Tex&reg (GT), Teflon&reg or biological, such as autologous muscle patches. It was shown that bovine pericardium (bp) was effective to correct those large defects with many positive outcomes when compared with syntactic materials. Aim: This study aims to establish an experimental model of correction for large diaphragmatic defect with PB and GT patches to compare histologically the tissue interaction between them and diaphragm in young Wistar rats. Materials & Methods: 15 wistar rats were divided in 3 groups: Rats that used BP was named G1; Rats that used GT was named G2; and rats with only scraping in the diphragm, named G3 (control). Animals were submited to a laparotomy and fixed pathces to diaphragms and harvested 3 weeks later. Area between normal diaphragm and patches were isolated and separated for histological analysis, such as lymphocytic infiltration (inflammation), neovascularization and fibrosis. Results: G1 presented inflammation between BP and Diaphragm In 5 Samples. G2 Presented Neovascularization In 5 Samples, But No inflammation. Fibrotic tissue overlapping GT patches occurred in 3 samples in G2. Comparing G1 with G2 there was a significant statistical difference concerning inflammation (P = 0.0079), in G1. Comparing neovascularization there is no significant statistical difference (P = 0.4444), despite a slight higher incidence in G2. Fibrosis in both groups presented no significant statistical difference (P = 0.4444), despite a slight higher incidence in G2. There were no alterations in G3. Discussion: Despite the statistical difference in the inflammatory process was more frequent in G1 (P = 0.0079), neovascularization and fibrosis were more frequent in G2. Conclusion: The proposed experimental model was satisfactory to reproduce suture of patches in the diaphragm. These results suggests that inflammation, neovascularization and fibrosis indeed contribute to a benign healing process that reacts differently in each group but can drive to a more lasting and permanent results when biological patch is considered. Statistical report suggests that this study should be continued with a larger sample of animals and a wider period of time before harvest.

PP‐10 CHARACTERIZATION OF ESOPHAGEAL MOTILITY IN INFANTS BORN WITH CONGENITAL DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA USING HIGH RESOLUTION MANOMETRY

Purpose:Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare condition characterized by a congenital defect in the diaphragm. Abdominal organs are displaced into the thorax through the diaphragmatic defect, hereby causing lung hypoplasia. Survivors also present with long‐term functional gastro‐intestinal morbidity such as gastro‐esophageal reflux, esophageal dysfunction and poor nutritional status. Congenital esophageal dysmotility and surgical disruption of the esophago‐gastric junction (EGJ) may contribute to this esophageal dysfunction. The aim of this study was to characterize esophageal function in young infants born with CDH.Methods:High resolution solid state manometry was used to investigate the esophageal function in 9 postoperative infants born with CDH (6 M, median age 23 days). A total of 416 liquid swallows were analyzed (range 27–70 swallows per patient; mean 46 swallows). All data are presented as median (IQR).Results:We included 9 patients: 8 with a left diaphragmatic defect, 5 with a “liver up” defect, 4 underwent a fetal tracheal occlusion procedure because of severe lung hypoplasia, 8 needed a patch to close a large diaphragmatic defect. Across patients, length of peristaltic defects was 0.4 (0.3,0.6) cm. Distal contractile integral (DCI) was 357 (249,428) mmHg.sec.cm. Distal Latency (DL) was 4.9 (3.6,5.6) sec, whereby 5/9 patients had a DL less than 4.5 sec. EGJ resting pressure was 37 (17,60) mmHg. The integrated relaxation pressure (IRP4) was 14 (9,19) mmHg with IRP4 over 15 mmHg in 4 patients.Conclusion:We investigated the esophageal body and EGJ function in 9 patients with CDH using high resolution manometry. This pilot study shows that the distal contractile integral is reduced in all infants with CDH. This reflects weak esophageal contractile strength and supports the congenital foregut dysmotility hypothesis. Surprisingly, deglutitive relaxation pressures were increased in only 4/9 patients suggesting that EGJ outflow obstruction post hernia repair of the crural diaphragm, is only partially contributing to the esophageal motor dysfunction observed in patients with CDH.

Laparoscopic repair of Morgagni hernia by artificial pericardium patch in an adult obese patient.

Morgagni hernia is a kind of rare congenital diaphragmatic hernia. We reported a case of Morgagni hernia repaired successfully with artificial pericardium patch via the laparoscopic approach. The patient was admitted with a 3-month history of postprandial nausea and vomiting, and accompanied by epigastric pain. Computed tomography (CT) scans showed a large anteromedial diaphragmatic hernia. The hernial contents were reduced back into the abdominal cavity and the diaphragmatic defect was repaired with artificial pericardium patch by laparoscopic intracorporeal suture. We achieved satisfactory intracorporeal repair of this large diaphragmatic defect. The patient had excellent recovery and started on oral diet on the first postoperative day, and then was discharged just two days after operation. The minimally invasive advantage of laparoscopic approach offers a secure, reliable and satisfactory way to confirm the diagnosis and achieve the repair of non-complicated Morgagni hernia.

Medical and regenerative solutions for congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a perinatal perspective.

In the EU-27, 2,100 babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are born annually. CDH is fatal in 30% of them. Experimental fetal surgery in severe cases results in a survival rate of 50 to 60% at its best. Failure is due to insufficient lung growth, persistent pulmonary hypertension or prematurity induced by the procedure. For nonsurvivors alternative strategies are required. Survivors undergo anatomical repair, but large diaphragmatic defects are closed using a patch. At present the used materials are less than ideal, mainly because of recurrence and chest deformation. To overcome the above limitations, alternative medical therapies (pharmacologic or cell therapy) that are more potent and less invasive are needed. Also a more functional postnatal repair may be possible when using novel scaffolds or engineered constructs. We see a prominent place for autologous amniotic fluid-derived stem cells for these novel strategies, which could be prenatally harvested following appropriate patient selection by noninvasive imaging.

Case report: Pentalogy of cantrell

Pentalogy of Cantrell is a type of ectopia cordis including: defect in anterior diaphragm, pericardium, anterior abdominal wall in addition to extrusion of part of the heart outside the mediastinum and structural heart disease. We were faced by a case of 2 years old girl presented by a visible large pulsating swelling in the lower part of the chest and upper part of anterior abdominal wall in addition to other manifestations of pulmonary congestion and heart failure. After echocardiography, MSCT was done for completing the diagnosis, the cardiac lesion was a large apical VSD with biventricular dilatation and the apex of the heart forms a long tail like swelling passing through a large anterior pericardial and diaphragmatic defect to lie under the anterior abdominal wall. Under full CPB and cardioplegic arrest; the excess aneuresmal part of cardiac apex was excised and the Apical VSD was closed the aneuresmectomy opening because it was in accessible through the RT atrium. The PT needed high inotric support, prolonged ventilation and ICU stay and discharged on day 15 with maximized medical treatment because the ICU and pre discharge echo shows only minimal improvement of the already severely impaired myocardial function EF ∼ 30% and severe PH.

Repair of a bilateral Morgagni hernia in a premature, extremely low birth weight infant

Congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH) are rare congenital anomalies occurring in 1:5000 live births with a wide range of clinical presentations. The Morgagni hernia is the rarest of these defects with the hernia presenting anteriorly, most commonly on the right. Factors found to predict mortality in infants presenting with CDH include prenatal diagnosis, early gestational age, low birth weight, large diaphragmatic defect, associated congenital anomalies, and low APGAR scores. We present the case of a 27-week gestational age premature girl weighing 460 g who required urgent repair of a Morgagni diaphragmatic hernia and a review of the current literature on the topic. To the best of our knowledge, this is the smallest infant to undergo repair of this CDH reported to date.

Pneumothoraces As a Fatal Complication of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in the Era of Gentle Ventilation

Pneumothorax remains a life-threatening complication that occurs in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), even under respiratory management with gentle ventilation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of pneumothoraces as a fatal complication during the management of CDH based on the results of a nationwide Japanese survey conducted in the era of gentle ventilation. A retrospective cohort study was performed as part of a nationwide Japanese survey of CDH. A total of 510 neonates with isolated CDH born between 2006 and 2010 were included in this study. The patients were divided into four groups according to operative findings related to the diaphragmatic defect size and operability, which represents the disease severity: defects less than 25%, defects more than 25% but less than 75%, defects more than 75%, and a patient group that was unable to undergo surgery. The prevalence of pneumothorax and the survival rate were compared with respect to each disease severity group. Each case was evaluated to determine whether the development of a pneumothorax was the primary cause of death. Of the 510 neonates with isolated CDH, 69 patients developed a pneumothorax before and/or after surgical intervention. Of the 69 patients 38 patients died, and only 26 patients were discharged from the hospital without any major morbidity that requires home treatment ("intact discharge"). The prevalence of pneumothorax increased and the survival rate and intact discharge rate decreased as the severity of the disease worsened. The number of patients whose pneumothorax was presumed to be the primary cause of death also increased as the severity of the disease worsened. The survival rate of the patients with pneumothorax was significantly lower than that of the patients without pneumothorax among the groups with 25 to 75% defects and 75% or more defects. Pneumothoraces was found to more likely occur in neonates with CDH associated with a large defect of the diaphragm. The survival rate and intact discharge rate decreased as the severity of the disease worsened, especially among the patients who developed pneumothorax accompanied by large diaphragmatic defects. No other risk factors related to pneumothorax occurrence were found, except for the severity of the disease itself, thus suggesting that pneumothorax was associated with a lethal outcome in neonates with CDH associated with a large defect of the diaphragm.

Surgical tactics in treatment of traumatic raptures of the diaphragm: our experience

Results TRD was diagnosed preoperatively in 32 patients (84%) by contrast X-Ray of gastrointestinal tract, abdominal ultrasound, and CT scan of the chest and abdomen. In 6 (16%) patients TRD was diagnosed during surgery. We did not use pleural centesis to avoid injury of abdominal organs. 27 patients (71%) underwent surgery upon 1 month of trauma episode, and 13 (34%) – after 1 month to 13 years. Right lateral thoracotomy on the 6th interspace was performed in 9 (24%) patients with right TRD. In case of large raptures the diaphragm was repaired by simple interrupted suture to chest wall on 1-2 interspaces above anatomical juncture-line which allowed repairing the diaphragm out of high tension. 11 patients (29%) with old left TRD underwent left lateral thoracotomy on the 6th interspace. In both left and right TRDs the large diaphragmatic defects were repaired by polypropylene mesh. 18 (47%) patients with acute left TRD were treated by left lateral thoracotomy accompanied by upper-medial laparotomy (11 cases) and laparoscopy (7 cases) for better examination of abdomen and restoring lesions. We observed 3 deaths (8 %) – 2 from severe craniocerebral trauma and 1 from pulmonary thromboemboli.

Diaphragmatic muscle reconstruction with an aligned electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone)/collagen hybrid scaffold

Large diaphragmatic muscle defects in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are reconstructed by prosthetic materials or autologous grafts, which are associated with high complications and reherniation. In this study we examined the feasibility of using aligned electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/collagen hybrid scaffolds for diaphragmatic muscle reconstruction. The hybrid scaffolds were implanted into a central left hemi-diaphragmatic defect (approximately 70% of the diaphragmatic tissue on the left side) in rats. Radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analyses showed no evidence of herniation or retraction up to 6 months after implantation. Histological and immunohistochemical evaluations revealed ingrowth of muscle tissue into the scaffolds. The mechanical properties of the retrieved diaphragmatic scaffolds were similar to those of normal diaphragm at the designated time points. Our results show that the aligned electrospun hybrid scaffolds allowed muscle cell migration and tissue formation. The aligned scaffolds may provide implantable functional muscle tissues for patients with diaphragmatic muscle defects.

Diaphragmatic hernia repair using a rectus abdominis muscle pedicle flap in three dogs

To report the clinical use of a pedicle flap from the rectus abdominis muscle to repair extensive diaphragmatic tears in dogs with diaphragmatic hernia. Three dogs with a combination of radial and circumferential diaphragmatic tears were studied. The circumferential tear was repaired by suturing the wound edge with the edge at the abdominal wall. A pedicle flap of the rectus abdominis muscle was used for repairing the radial tear. The dogs were examined radiographically for lung and diaphragm appearance and evidence of reherniation at 10 days, and at one, two, and four months after surgery, and fluoroscopically for paradoxical motion of the diaphragm at one and four months. The rectus abdominis muscle pedicle flap was successfully used in all three dogs. The animals recovered uneventfully without evidence of reherniation during the four follow-up months. Fluoroscopic examination revealed no paradoxical motion of the diaphragm. A rectus abdominis muscle pedicle flap can be used for repairing large diaphragmatic defects in dogs.

Acellular Dermal Graft Reinforcement at the Hiatus

The ideal technique to repair large hiatal and diaphragmatic defects remains controversial. Due to high recurrence rates with primary repair alone, attempts at crural reinforcement with various products has been investigated. Initial evaluation of synthetic mesh at the hiatus in retrospective studies led to the conclusion that there were too many serious complications with these products. The next step was to see how biologic grafts fared in this location. Beginning with porcine intestine submucosa in a laminated array and progressing through human and porcine acellular dermal matrices, multiple, retrospective studies looked at the efficacy and safety of these products. Unfortunately, most of these studies evaluated a small sample size with a relatively short follow-up period. The one study followed out to 5 years failed to show any benefit using the biologic (porcine intestinal submucosa) compared with the primary repair alone. Additional, prospective, randomized studies with ample numbers carried out for years will be necessary to see which biologic graft is not only safe but also successful in preventing recurrent herniations.

Intrathoracic gastric perforation: a late complication of an unknown postpartum recurrent hiatal hernia

Diaphragmatic hernias occurring during pregnancy are an uncommon event. In very rare occasions, the clinical situation can suddenly worsen due to obstruction, torsion or infarction of the herniated viscera. Here, we describe a challenging case of a post-partum diaphragmatic hiatus hernia complicated by intrathoracic gastric perforation. A 23-year old woman was admitted at our hospital with a syndrome characterized by epigastralgy, dyspnoea and fever. She had previously undergone a laparoscopic antireflux surgery for hiatus hernia (6 years before) and a recent (4 months) unremarkable vaginal delivery. Due to the persistence of a pelvic pain after the delivery, she had been taking pain-killers as a self-administered medication. A CT scan showed a massive left pleural effusion and a complete herniation of the stomach into the left hemithorax. After placing a chest drainage and removing up to 3000ml of brownish purulent fluid, a repeat CT scan (with water soluble contrast swallow) showed a leak at the level of the stomach. At surgery, we observed a complete intrathoracic herniation through a large diaphragmatic hiatal defect and a small well-defined gastric ulcer. A primary repair of both the stomach and the diaphragm was performed. We take the opportunity presented by this report to briefly discuss the patho-physiological mechanisms underlying this unusual complication.

Hepatothorax due to a right diaphragmatic rupture related to duodenal ulcer perforation

Here, we present the case of a 53-year-old man with a hepatothorax due to a right diaphragmatic rupture related to duodenal ulcer perforation. On admission, the patient complained of severe acute abdominal pain, with physical examination findings suspicious for a perforated peptic ulcer. Of note, the patient had no history of other medical conditions or recent trauma, and the initial chest radiography and laboratory findings were not specific. A subsequent abdominal computed tomography revealed intrathoracic displacement of the liver, gallbladder, transverse colon and omentum through a right diaphragmatic defect. The patient then underwent an explorative laparotomy that confirmed duodenal ulcer perforation. A primary repair of the duodenal perforation was performed, and the diaphragmatic defect was repaired using a polytetrafluoroethylene patch after the organs were reduced and the cavity irrigated. This particular case proves interesting as right-sided spontaneous diaphragmatic ruptures are very rare and difficult to diagnose. Additionally, the best treatment for such large diaphragmatic defects is still controversial, especially in cases of intrathoracic or intra-abdominal contamination.

Split abdominal wall muscle flap repair vs patch repair of large congenital diaphragmatic hernias

Purpose Large congenital diaphragmatic hernias are commonly repaired with a prosthetic patch. We hypothesized that a split abdominal wall muscle flap would reduce the risk of recurrence. Methods A retrospective review of neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia in whom primary repair was not possible was performed. Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox proportional hazards modeling were performed. Results Of 153 patients, 46 could not have repair with primary closure of the diaphragm. Thirty-three survived to discharge and were subjected to analysis for recurrence. Ten underwent repair with a patch, whereas 23 had a muscle flap (internal oblique and transversalis) patch. The groups were similar with regard to demographics, need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, repair on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and size of the defect. Fifty percent of patch repairs recurred with a median time of 0.5 years. Only one (4.3%) of the patients who had muscle flap patch developed a recurrence. This was significant on Kaplan-Meier analysis ( P = .0009) and had a hazard ratio of 14.3 on Cox regression ( P = .018). Median follow-up exceeded 4 years. No children required surgery for an abdominal wall hernia. Conclusions The split abdominal wall muscle flap allows for closure of large congenital diaphragmatic hernia defects with autologous tissue. This approach is associated with significantly fewer recurrences than patch repairs.

Large diaphragmatic defect: are skeletal deformities preventable?

The aim of study was to compare growth, nutritional status and incidence of chest wall deformities and scoliosis in survivors of large congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) defect (Gore-Tex patch reconstruction) with survivors with smaller defects and primary reconstruction. An anthropometric study of 53 children who underwent CDH repair in neonatal period was carried out. Weight, height, and skin-fold thickness were measured, scoliosis and chest wall deformity were evaluated. Body mass index (BMI) and thoracic index (TI) were calculated using standard rules. The measured data were compared with national population standard with the use of standard deviation score (SDS). According to the type of diaphragmatic reconstruction, the patients were divided into two groups [Gore-Tex patch (10) versus primary repair (43)]. Student t test and Fisher exact tests were used for statistical analysis. Pectus excavatum was found in 25 (47%) patients, poor posture in 33% and significant scoliosis in 5%. Compared with the population norm, CDH children had a significantly lower body height SDS (mean -0.39, p<0.05), weight SDS (mean -0.75, p<0.001), BMI (mean SDS -0.68, p<0.001) and lower TI (mean SDS -0.62, p<0.01). Gore-Tex versus primary repair group significantly differed in incidence of pectus excavatum and BMI (PE: p=0.027, BMI SDS: p=0.016). A majority of anthropometric parameters (weight, height, thoracic index, and thorax circumference) and incidence of scoliosis and poor posture in children after Gore-Tex patch reconstruction did not significantly differ from children after primary repair. The differences in some anthropometric parameters (weight, BMI, and TI) and in the skeletal deformity suggest that the CDH not only disturbs normal lung growth, but also seems to have implications on some other aspects of somatic development. Whether these changes could be related to the type of diaphragmatic reconstruction or rather to the size of the defect remains uncertain.