"Balanced" thoracic drainage is the method of choice to control intrathoracic pressure following repair of diaphragmatic hernia

Respiratory failure from pulmonary hypoplasia continues to be the major cause of death in newborn infants with diaphragmatic hernia. Recent investigations have suggested that postnatally induced pulmonary injury can result from excessive positive or negative intrathoracic pressure and contribute to the respiratory deterioration. Therefore, the method of thoracic drainage on the side of the diaphragmatic hernia is critical in controlling and maintaining normal intrathoracic pressure in both intrathoracic spaces. No chest tube or an ipsilateral chest tube connected to water seal, can result in either excessive negative or positive intrathoracic pressure and, therefore, both methods should be avoided. Recently, we employed a "balanced" intrathoracic drainage system which maintains the ipsilateral intrathoracic pressure within the normal physiologic range of +2 to -8 cm H2O regardless of the degree of pulmonary hypoplasia, presence of an ipsilateral pulmonary air leak, straining by the infant, or mechanical ventilation. This system is simple, requires no suction apparatus, and is easily assembled with equipment readily available within the hospital. This technique has been utilized in 18 newborn infants with diaphragmatic hernia and pulmonary hypoplasia. There have been no complications which specifically could be related to the balanced drainage system.