Creation and repair of diaphragmatic hernia in the fetal lamb: techniques and survival

Diaphragmatic hernias were created in 54 fetal lambs at 72 to 82 days gestation via a left thoracotomy. The diaphragmatic hernia was repaired in 30 lambs at 106 to 123 days gestation, and 14 of these lambs subsequently aborted. The majority of those surviving to term were delivered for survival. Four lambs with an unrepaired diaphragmatic hernia were intensively resuscitated at delivery and their diaphragmatic hernias repaired; survival in these lambs ranged from 20 minutes to 89 hours. Nine lambs with repaired diaphragmatic hernia were resuscitated following delivery; survival times ranged from one hour, 45 minutes to 123 days, with three lambs surviving to be sacrificed at 43, 62, and 123 days. Three of the lambs that died before sacrifice, died of causes unrelated to their lung function. These results show that in-utero repair of the diaphragmatic hernia in the fetal lamb results in improved survival. We feel, however, that direct application of these results in humans would be premature.