Laparoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in children:a report of 6 cases / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the feasibility of laparoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in children. Methods Two neonates (age 2 and 7 day) and 4 infants (age 7, 10, 21 and 24 months, averaged 15.5 month), one of them was male, underwent laparoscopic repair of diaphragmatic hernia under general endotracheal anesthesia. Two of them were on the left side, and 4 on the right. 3 or 4 trocars were used. The hernia contents were reduced and the hernia defect was repaired using interrupted sutures. Results The laparoscopic procedures were completed without intra-operative complication in 4 infants. The operating time ranged from 55 to 180 minutes (averaged 121 minutes). Amount of bleeding was less than 5ml. In them full activity and feeding were normal within 1-2 days. 1-2 years follow-up showed no complication or recurrence. In one newborn open abdominal operation was required, and recurrence occurred in the other necessitating re-operation by laparotomy in the other newborn. Conclusions Laparoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in infants is feasible, and its result was satisfactory. The role of laparoscopic correction of diaphragnatic hernia in the newborn period, however, remains to be determined.