Perioperative Complications of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair

Eur J Pediatr Surg DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632374Although improvements have been made, the management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) remains a major challenge for perinatologists and neonatal surgeons. Many aspects of the disease remain unknown and, being a rare entity, evidence-based data are hard to find. Surgical morbidity is considerable and affects long-term quality of life. Perioperative complications have been reviewed focusing on thoracoscopic repair. Intraoperative acidosis was more severe during thoracoscopy when compared with open surgery (OS), though it is possible that later neurodevelopment was not affected. Even so, strategies have been outlined to reduce acidosis, such as decreasing carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation after reduction of the herniated viscera into the abdomen is complete. The risk of pleural complications decreased after introduction of gentle ventilation techniques and minimally invasive surgery (MIS); thus, the use of a prophylactic intraoperative thoracic tube is not routinely required. Recurrence rate was higher in large CDH and following MIS repair. Technical demands play an important role, therefore, in avoiding complications; every step of the OS technique must be strictly accomplished. In large defects, the use of prosthetic patch might reduce recurrence rate, even by MIS repair, once again only if technical demands are overcome with meticulous rules of suturing. Thoracoscopy significantly reduced the incidence of bowel obstruction...
Source: European Journal of Pediatric Surgery - Category: Surgery Authors: Tags: Review Article Source Type: research