Congenital diaphragmatic hernia in children

ABSTRACT

To study the presentation, results and complications of management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in children at our setup. Retrospective Descriptive Study. This study was conducted in the department of Paediatric Surgery, Children Hospital and The Institute of Child Health, Multan during a period of three years from January 2008 to December 2010. A total of 25 patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia were managed. Data was collected on the basis of history, clinical examination, relevant investigations, operative results and complications. Final analysis was made at the completion of study. Study included 25 consecutive cases with ages ranging from 12 hours to 7 months. 19 [76%] were male and 6 [24%] female. 20 [80%] were neonates with predominant symptoms of respiratory distress since birth along with cyanosis and apnoeic spells. Five [20%] patients were beyond the age of one month with predominant symptoms of recurrent respiratory tract infection, vomiting and failure to thrive. Clinical signs included absence of breath sounds, presence of bowel sounds and impaired resonance on affected side of chest in all 25 [100%] patients. Flat abdomen in 18 [72%] and cachexia in 2[8%]. Left side involvement was in 22 [88%] and right side in 3 [12%]. All the patients were operated upon. Conventional mechanical ventilation [CMV] was given to 16[64%]. One [4%] patient died and rest of the 24[96%] survived. Best possible operative results can be obtained with the help of limited facilities present in our setup