Low recurrence rate after Gore-Tex/Marlex composite patch repair for posterolateral congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Purpose

Many different prosthetic materials have been used for repair of large posterolateral congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH), with high recurrence rates for hernias that cannot be primarily repaired. Since 1993, we have used a composite patch of Gore-Tex/Marlex to repair large CDHs and hypothesized that this repair leads to fewer recurrences.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of 137 consecutive patients with CDH cared for at a single institution from 1993 to 2004. Data collected include timing and method of repair and use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Outcomes include hernia recurrence, complications, and death.

Results

One hundred thirty-seven patients with CDH were analyzed. Repair was not attempted in 12 because of disease severity. Primary repair was accomplished in 79 and 46 required patch repair. Of the 46 patients with patch repairs, 32 required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and 18 died before discharge. Of the 28 patch repair survivors, 1 (3.57%) developed a recurrence over a median follow-up of 47 months (range, 2-115 months). Overall survival was 77%.

Conclusions

Gore-Tex/Marlex composite patch repair of large CDHs in this complex patient population results in a lower recurrence rate than has been reported for other types of prosthetic diaphragm repair.     

Outcomes after muscle flap vs prosthetic patch repair for large congenital diaphragmatic hernias

Background

Repair of large congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) defects still pose a significant challenge, as the defects cannot be repaired primarily. Two techniques have been widely used: autologous anterior abdominal wall muscle flap and prosthetic patch. The latter has been used more often. Our goal was to compare the short-term and long-term outcomes of these 2 approaches.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of all neonates undergoing CDH repair at our institution from 1969 to 2006.

Results

Of 188 children undergoing surgery for CDH, primary repair could not be accomplished in 51 infants (27%). Nineteen had muscle flap repair, and 32 had prosthetic patch repair (Gore-Tex [W.L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, AZ], n = 15; Marlex [Bard Inc, Cranston, NJ], n = 9; Surgisis [Cook, Bloomington, IN], n = 5; SILASTIC [Dow Corning, Midland, MI], n = 3). There was no significant difference in gestational age or birth weight between groups. Three patients developed an abdominal wall defect at the muscle flap donor site, but none required surgical intervention. Chest wall deformities were found in 9 patients, 3 after a muscle flap and 6 after a prosthetic patch (P = .7). Postoperative bowel obstruction occurred in 3 muscle flap patients and 1 patch patient (P = .2). There were 10 recurrences among survivors: 2 after a muscle flap and 8 after a prosthetic patch (P = .3) There were 2 deaths among the muscle flap patients (10%), and 3 deaths among the prosthetic patch repair patients (9%) (P = .1). Results were confirmed after controlling for age and comorbidities between both groups in a multivariate logistic regression.

Conclusion

These results suggest that autologous anterior abdominal wall muscle flap and prosthetic patch repairs provide similar short-term and long-term outcomes.     

Permacol: a potential biologic patch alternative in congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair

Purpose

Recurrence is a well-known complication after patch repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). We propose that a newer, “bioprosthetic” material may lower recurrence rates. The purpose of this study is to compare outcomes of CDH repair with synthetic Gore-Tex (W. L. Gore and Associates, Neward, Del) to the bioprosthetic Permacol (Tissue Science Laboratories Inc, Andover, Mass).

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of 100 consecutive patients with CDH with survival more than 30 days at Children's Medical Center of Dallas (Dallas, Tex) from 1999 to 2007. The incidence and timing of recurrence, as well as comorbidities were assessed.

Results

Primary repair was performed in 63 patients and patch repair in 37, divided between Gore-Tex (29) and Permacol (8). Overall recurrences were as follows: 1 (2%), 8 (28%), and 0 in the primary, Gore-Tex, and Permacol groups, respectively. Median follow-up was 57 months for Gore-Tex and 20 months for Permacol. Median time to recurrence in the Gore-Tex group was 12 months, with no Permacol recurrences. Both the Gore-Tex and Permacol groups had similar comorbidities, including prematurity, congenital heart disease (76% and 63%, respectively), and the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support (38% and 25%).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that Permacol may have lower recurrence rates compared to Gore-Tex and is a promising alternative biologic graft for CDH repair.     

The split abdominal wall muscle flap repair for large congenital diaphragmatic hernias on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Background

Numerous techniques exist for repairing large congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDHs) including prosthetic patches, tissue-engineered grafts, and various muscle flaps. A split abdominal wall muscle flap is a simple, durable way to repair a large diaphragmatic hernia. This technique has not gained widespread use, and some have suggested that it would be inappropriate in the setting of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) because of bleeding risk. We present our series of diaphragmatic hernias with a focus on those repaired with the split abdominal wall technique while on ECMO.

Methods

A retrospective, single-institution chart review was performed on all patients who underwent surgical repair for CDH over 6 years beginning in August 2000.

Results

Seventy-five patients underwent repair. Sixteen were performed with patients on ECMO. Of these, 4 were closed primarily, 7 used a prosthetic patch, and 5 used a split abdominal wall muscle flap. Two patients in the prosthetic group developed a recurrent hernia, and 2 required reoperation for bleeding while on ECMO. No reoperations for bleeding were required in the abdominal muscle flap group.

Conclusions

The split abdominal wall muscle flap can be safely performed on anticoagulated patients. We believe it is a practical option for repairing large CDHs.     

Long-term surgical outcomes in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: observations from a single institution

Background/Purpose

Surgical complications are common in survivors of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), but little is known about long-term incidence patterns and associated predictors.

Methods

A cohort of 99 CDH survivors was prospectively followed at a single-institution multidisciplinary clinic. Data were gathered regarding the adverse surgical outcomes of hernia recurrence, chest and spinal deformity, and operative small bowel obstruction (SBO), and then were retrospectively analyzed in relation to perinatal and perioperative markers of disease severity to determine significant predictors. Statistical methods used included univariate and multivariate regression analysis, hazard modeling, and Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results

At a median cohort age of 4.7 (range, 0.2-10.6) years, 46% of patients with patch repairs and 10% of those with primary repairs had a hernia recurrence at a median time of 0.9 (range, 0.1-7.3) years after repair. Chest deformity was detected in 47%. Small bowel obstruction and scoliosis occurred in 13%. Recurrence and chest deformity were significantly more common with patch repair, liver herniation, age at neonatal extubation greater than 16 days, oxygen requirement at discharge, and prematurity. The strongest predictor of SBO was patch repair. Multivariate analysis showed that patch repair was independently predictive of recurrence and early chest deformity (odds ratios of 5.0 and 4.8, confidence intervals of 1-24 and 1-21, P < .05). Use of an absorbable patch was associated with the highest risk of surgical complications.

Conclusions

For long-term survivors of CDH, specific perinatal and operative variables, particularly patch repair, are associated with subsequent adverse surgical outcomes.     

Effectiveness of diaphragmatic repair using an abdominal muscle flap in patients with recurrent congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Background/Purpose

Recurrent congenital diaphragmatic hernia (Re-CDH) is a well-known complication of CDH repair. Although surgical treatment is required for Re-CDH, the question regarding which technique is the optimal treatment has not yet been elucidated. We performed a repair using an abdominal muscle flap (AMF) for Re-CDH and herein report our experience.

Patients and Results

Four patients using AMF had left Re-CDH. The patient's age at operation was around 1 year old in all patients. In the first repair during the neonatal period, a Gore-Tex patch was required for the large defect in 3 patients, whereas a primary closure was selected in 1 patient because the anterior diaphragm remained as a partial remnant. In the 3 patients in whom a Gore-Tex patch was used in the first operation, recurrence occurred twice. All of the patients suffered from both pulmonary hypertension and growth retardation. A repair using AMF (the flap of both the internal oblique and the transversalis abdominal muscle) was performed in all patients. The clinical course was good in all patients, with an improvement of both pulmonary hypertension and growth retardation without any recurrence of CDH.

Conclusion

The use of an AMF was thus found to be an effective technique for repairing a large defect in Re-CDH.     

Predictors of gastroesophageal reflux in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Purpose

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is observed in 22% to 81% of neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). The purpose of this study was to identify factors that may predict GER requiring fundoplication in neonates with CDH.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed on all neonates with CDH treated at our hospital from June 1997 to June 2005. Preoperative respiratory status, side of the CDH, and method of repair were assessed as predictors of GER and the need for fundoplication.

Results

Of the 42 patients with CDH, 3 died before intervention, leaving 39 patients eligible for study. All but 1 patient survived until discharge. Twenty-one (54%) developed GER of whom 9 (23%) required fundoplication. Although the side of the CDH was not a determinant of GER or the need for fundoplication, patch repair and the need for extracorporeal life support were determinants of both.

Conclusions

Gastroesophageal reflux is common among babies with CDH, although symptoms often resolve without surgical intervention. Infants with CDH defects requiring a patch repair and those requiring advanced physiologic support, especially extracorporeal life support, are likely to develop severe GER necessitating fundoplication. Early recognition and treatment of GER among high-risk patients may shorten hospital stay and minimize patient morbidity. Early fundoplication should be considered for those patients at the highest risk.     

Use of a biodegradable patch for reconstruction of large thoracic cage defects in growing children

Background/Purpose

At our institution, procedures were developed to enlarge and stabilize the thoracic cavity of children born with severe-enough abnormalities of the thoracic cage as to result in lack of normal lung growth and function. In addition to the device known as the vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR), some type of patch material was needed to cover large congenital defects of the chest cage owing to rib absence or to cover defects created because of the expansion process. Initially, synthetic material, polytetrafluorethylene (Gore-Tex, WL Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz) was used, but this proved itself to be restrictive over time and required removal. Thus, a nonsynthetic biodegradable patch material was adopted for coverage of the defects (Surgisis, Cook, Bloomington, Ind).

Methods

From October 2001 through October 2004, 26 growing children undergoing thoracic cage reconstruction received the biodegradable extracellular matrix patch derived from porcine SIS (Cook). A patch was deemed necessary if any one of the following conditions was obtained: (a) herniation of the lung was likely; (b) chest wall musculature was significantly diminished; (c) injury to the lung was likely at reoperation; (d) the defect was greater than 2 × 2 cm.

Results

During the follow-up period, 41 months thus far, each of the 26 children has undergone routine, scheduled expansions or change-out procedures every 6 months. The SIS has not required removal for any reason and has not restricted growth of the thoracic cage.

Conclusions

Compared with synthetic soft tissue patch material, the nonsynthetic, biodegradable soft tissue patch (SIS) has proven to be a superior alternative, thus far, to others for use in our population of patients for reconstruction of the thoracic cage in the growing child.     

Predicting the need for fundoplication at the time of congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair

Purpose

This study was conducted to examine the preoperative factors predictive of subsequent intervention for gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study on children who underwent repair of a CDH between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 2002 with follow-up continuing to September 1, 2005. Excluded in the study were children who died during their first admission, or who underwent fundoplication at the time of CDH repair. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to examine preoperative factors predictive of subsequent intervention (fundoplication or gastrojejunal tube placement).

Results

Of 86 children, 13 underwent intervention (fundoplication, 10; gastrojejunal tube, 3) for GER. Univariate predictors included the following: right-sided CDH, use of nonconventional ventilation, liver within the chest, and patch closure of the CDH. However, only liver within the chest and patch closure of the CDH were significant predictors in a multiple variable analysis. The positive and negative predictive values of the multivariate model were 69.2% and 87.7%, respectively.

Conclusions

Infants with CDH who have liver within the chest or require patch closure of their hernia are at increased risk for subsequent intervention for GER. These children may represent a subpopulation that would benefit from fundoplication at the time of CDH repair.     

Laparoscopic patch repair of diaphragmatic hernias with Surgisis

Background

Laparoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernias has been sparsely reported. Moreover, each report has primarily been a single operative case. In most of the reports, prosthetic mesh has not been used, and when used, it has been nonabsorbable in nature. Most of these case reports have documented only a few months of clinical follow-up.

Methods

After institutional review board approval (No. 01-12-115X), the clinical course and outcome of 3 patients undergoing laparoscopic repair of foramen of Morgagni and Bochdalek hernias using 4-ply Surgisis soft tissue graft (Cook Inc, Bloomington, Ind) were reviewed to determine if this approach is appropriate.

Results

In 2001, 2 patients, ages 9 months and 14 years, underwent laparoscopic foramen of Morgagni repair and one 5-day-old underwent laparoscopic foramen of Bochdalek repair using Surgisis soft tissue graft as a patch to close the diaphragmatic defects because there was too much tension with primary repair. In each case, the prosthesis was secured to the rim of the defect using interrupted silk sutures tied intracorporally. The mean operative time for repair of the Morgagni defects was 230 minutes with a postoperative discharge of 1 and 2 days. For the foramen of Bochdalek repair, the operative time was 204 minutes, and the patient was discharged at 3 weeks. No complications have occurred during or after any of the procedures, but the oldest patient underwent diagnostic laparoscopy 3 months postoperatively for a radiographic finding of suspected recurrence. At laparoscopy, the patch was intact, and no diaphragmatic hernia was noted.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic defects using prosthetic material is possible although the operative time required is around 3.5 hours. Because of the brief postoperative course, the laparoscopic approach appears justified in the nonneonatal patients. Whether this approach is appropriate for repair of neonatal Bochdalek hernias remains unclear.     

Thoracoscopic repair in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: patching is safe and reduces the recurrence rate

Purpose

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) has traditionally been repaired via a laparotomy. More and more reports on thoracoscopic repair are being published. The aim of this study was to evaluate our series of thoracoscopic CDH repair and compare this group to an open repair group treated during the same period in the same institute.

Patients and Methods

Between June 2006 and December 2008, 49 children with posterolateral CDH were admitted, of whom 23 (47%) were operated thoracoscopically and 23 (47%) using an open repair, depending on the discretion of the attending surgeon and the clinical condition of the patient. Three patients (6%) with CDH were not treated because of associated anomalies (twice Cornelia de Lange syndrome and once hypoplastic left heart syndrome). Six thoracoscopic operations (26%) were converted to open surgery. Nine defects (39%) were closed thoracoscopically without a patch. In 8 (35%) patients, a patch was used. We used a patch in 20 open procedures (87%).

Results

Three (33%) of the 9 thoracoscopic repairs without patch and 1 (12%) of the 8 with a patch developed a recurrence. All these recurrences were repaired thoracoscopically. The 3 recurrences from the thoracoscopic primary repair were repaired using a patch. In the open group, 3 patients (13%) developed a recurrence, of whom 2 were repaired thoracoscopically.Mean operative time was significantly longer in the thoracoscopic patch repair group (158 minutes), when compared to the open repair group (125 minutes).

Conclusion

As in open repair, it seems wise to use large patches liberally, not only to reconstruct the dome of the diaphragm but also to avoid undue tension on the repair and prevent recurrences. The thoracoscopic approach is also considered feasible in case of a recurrence from either a thoracoscopic or open repair.     

Minimally invasive repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Purpose

Operative approach, including minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in the repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), is variable among institutions. The short-term recurrent hernia rate is not well described. We evaluated the in-hospital recurrence rate of MIS repairs of infants with CDH from the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Registry.

Methods

Prospectively collected data from infants with CDH were analyzed from the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Registry from January 1995 to January 2010. Recurrent hernia was defined as reoperations during initial hospitalization. Operative approaches included abdominal, thoracic, laparoscopic, and thoracoscopic techniques.

Results

Five thousand four hundred eighty infants with CDH were identified, of which 4516 (82.4%) were repaired. Operative data were available in 4390 infants. One hundred fifty-one infants (3.4%) underwent MIS repairs with 12 reported recurrences (7.9%) compared with 114 for open techniques (2.7%, P < .05). Minimally invasive surgery demonstrated a significant increased odds for recurrence (odds ratio, 3.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.92-6.71) after adjusting for gestational age, birth weight, patch repair, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive techniques appear to have a significant higher recurrent hernia rate, with thoracoscopy being the highest. Although adjusted for patch repair, other factors with regard to disease severity may contribute to differences in outcomes among centers. This study is limited to short-term recurrence during initial hospitalization.     

Impact of prenatal evaluation and protocol-based perinatal management on congenital diaphragmatic hernia outcomes

Background/Purpose

Although intuitive, the benefit of prenatal evaluation and multidisciplinary perinatal management for fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is unproven. We compared the outcome of prenatally diagnosed patients with CDH whose perinatal management was by a predefined protocol with those who were diagnosed postnatally and managed by the same team. We hypothesized that patients with CDH undergoing prenatal evaluation with perinatal planning would demonstrate improved outcome.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of all patients with Bochdalek-type CDH at a single institution between 2004 and 2009 was performed. Patients were stratified by history of perinatal management, and data were analyzed by Fisher's Exact test and Student's t test.

Results

Of 116 patients, 71 fetuses presented in the prenatal period and delivered at our facility (PRE), whereas 45 infants were either outborn or postnatally diagnosed (POST). There were more high-risk patients in the PRE group compared with the POST group as indicated by higher rates of liver herniation (63% vs 36%, P = .03), need for patch repair (57% vs 27%, P = .004), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use (35% vs 18%, P = .05). Despite differences in risk, there was no difference in 6-month survival between groups (73% vs 73%).

Conclusions

Patients with CDH diagnosed prenatally are a higher risk group. Prenatal evaluation and multidisciplinary perinatal management allows for improved outcome in these patients.     

Early experience with minimally invasive repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernias: results and lessons learned

Background:

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for the repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH) had been described. This report reviews the authors’ experience with MIS repairs of CDH and discusses the technical development of this approach.

Methods:

From 1999 until now, the authors collected data on children who underwent an MIS approach for CDH repair.

Results:

Seventeen children (11 Morgagni and 7 Bochdalek) had undergone an attempt at MIS repair. All Morgagni defects were treated successfully using laparoscopy (mean age, 28 ± 31 months). Mean follow-up was 22 ± 9 months. There was 1 recurrence. Four children with Bochdalek CDH were treated as newborns (range, 3 to 21 days), and 3 had operations later (4, 11, and 32 months). The first repair was attempted initially transabdominally and was converted to a thoracoscopic approach. The rest of the Bochdalek repairs were performed thoracoscopically. Bochdalek repairs via MIS were successful in 3 children (2 older children and 1 neonate). No child had pulmonary hypertension. Two of the 3 Bochdalek patients did well postoperatively (follow-up, 18 +/− 7 months); the last patient experienced recurrence 11 months after repair.

Conclusions:

MIS for CDH is ideal for Morgagni defects. It should be considered for nonnewborns with a Bochdalek CDH. The MIS approach for a newborn with a CDH cannot be recommended because of the high failure rate and frequent rise in Pco₂ levels.     

Early recurrence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia is higher after thoracoscopic than open repair: a single institutional study

Introduction

Experience in thoracoscopic congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) repair has expanded, yet efficacy equal to that of open repair has not been demonstrated. In spite of reports suggesting higher recurrent hernia rates after thoracoscopic repair, this approach has widely been adopted into practice. We report a large, single institutional experience with thoracoscopic CDH repair with special attention to recurrent hernia rates.

Methods

We reviewed the records of neonates with unilateral CDH repaired between January 2006 and February 2010 at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. Completely thoracoscopic repairs were compared to open repairs of the same period. In addition, successful thoracoscopic repairs were compared with thoracoscopic repairs that developed recurrence. Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U and Fisher exact tests.

Results

Thirty-five neonates underwent attempted thoracoscopic repair, with 26 completed. Concurrently, 19 initially open CDH repairs were performed. Preoperatively, patients in the open repair group required more ventilatory support than the thoracoscopic group. Recurrence was higher after thoracoscopic repair (23% vs 0%; P = .032). In comparing successful thoracoscopic repairs to those with recurrence, none of the factors analyzed were predictive of recurrence.

Conclusions

Early recurrence of hernia is higher in thoracoscopic CDH repairs than in open repairs. Technical factors and a steep learning curve for thoracoscopy may account for the higher recurrence rates, but not patient severity of illness. In an already-tenuous patient population, performing the repair thoracoscopically with a higher risk of recurrence may not be advantageous.     

Fetal lung-head ratio is not related to outcome for antenatal diagnosed congenital diaphragmatic hernia

We asked if fetal lung-to-head ratio (LHR) of 1.0 or lower or liver herniation had a statistical effect on survival or need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), compared with LHR above 1.0 in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Methods

Antenatal records of all patients diagnosed with CDH from January of 2002 to June of 2005 were examined. Inclusion criteria were isolated left-sided CDH and absence of significant cardiac or other anomalies/syndromes, treated solely at this institution. Lung-to-head ratio values were compared based on the value currently proposed for fetal intervention: LHR of 1.0 or lower vs LHR above 1.0. Outcome was assessed as survival (discharge to home) or need for ECMO.

Results

Twenty-eight patients met inclusion criteria. Overall survival was 86% (24/28). Postnatal survival in fetuses with LHR of 1.0 or lower (8/11) was not statistically different from LHR above 1.0 (16/17) (73% vs 94%, P = .114). The need for ECMO in the group with LHR of 1.0 or lower (3/11) was not significantly different from those with LHR above 1.0 (1/17) (27% vs 6%, P = .114). Herniation of the fetal liver into the chest did not affect survival or need for ECMO (P = .228).

Conclusion

Neither LHR of 1.0 or lower nor liver herniation identified a risk factor significant enough to warrant fetal intervention. Multicenter studies may be more appropriate to investigate this clinical problem.     

Fetoscopic temporary tracheal occlusion for congenital diaphragmatic hernia: prelude to a randomized,controlled trial

Objective

As previously reported, high postnatal mortality seen in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) with liver herniation and low lung-to-head ratio (LHR) appears to be improved in fetuses who undergo fetoscopic temporary tracheal occlusion (TO). To test whether further evolution of this technique produces results that justify a randomized controlled trial comparing prenatal intervention to postnatal care, the authors analyzed 11 additional cases and the cumulative experience with 19 cases.

Methods

The authors analyzed retrospectively the outcome of 11 new and 8 previously reported cases of fetoscopic temporary tracheal occlusion. Various factors were studied including maternal morbidity, antenatal outcome, physiologic lung response, and neonatal course.

Results

Temporary TO can be accomplished using 3 5-mm radially expanding uterine ports without hysterotomy. Obstetric morbidity included mild pulmonary edema in 6 cases, chorioamniotic separation and premature rupture of membranes in 12 patients, and preterm labor and delivery in all patients. Thirteen of 19 (68%) neonates survived for 90 days after delivery; one died in utero, and 5 died after birth. Late mortality included one death caused by sepsis and 2 by complications associated with tracheostomies. Morbidity from gastroesophageal reflux requiring Nissen fundoplication, tracheal injury requiring repair or tracheostomy, and recurrent hernias after diaphragmatic repair were characteristic in longterm survivors.

Conclusions

Fetoscopic temporary TO may improve outcome in poor-prognosis fetuses with CDH. However, complications related to tracheal dissection, premature delivery and late morbidity are significant. This experience has led to simpler techniques for fetoscopic tracheal occlusion and to an National Institutes of Health-sponsored randomized controlled trial comparing fetoscopic tracheal occlusion with optimal postnatal care.     

Chylothorax after congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair

Purpose

Chylothorax after congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) repair contributes significantly to morbidity. Our aim was to identify factors contributing to chylothorax and effective treatment strategies.

Methods

We reviewed 171 patients with CDH from 1997 to 2008 and analyzed hernia characteristics, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use, operative details, and treatment approaches for chylothorax.

Results

Ten (7%) patients developed chylothorax; all were left sided. Using univariate analysis, prenatal diagnosis, ECMO use, and patch repair were associated with development of chylothorax. Logistic regression analysis showed that patch repair was the only variable predictive of chylothorax (P = .028; confidence interval, 0.032-0.823). Although survival was not affected, patients with chylothorax had a significant increase in ventilator days and length of stay (t = 3.57; P = .000; t = 2.74; P = .007). All received thoracostomy and total parenteral nutrition. Six patients received octreotide, 5 of whom required pleurectomy because of failed medical management; the remaining patient died of overwhelming sepsis.

Conclusions

The incidence of chylothorax at our institution was relatively low. Patch repair was associated with the formation of chylothorax. Morbidity was substantial, but survival was not significantly affected. Total parenteral nutrition and thoracostomy were appropriate initial treatments. Octreotide was not an effective adjunct. Refractory cases were successfully treated with pleurectomy.     

Influence of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation on subsequent surgeries after congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair

Purpose

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a complex anomaly requiring intensive pulmonary and hemodynamic management. Survival has increased in this population placing them at risk for subsequent morbidities including surgery. The purpose of this study is to review the need for subsequent surgeries in the CDH population.

Methods

After receiving institutional review board approval, a retrospective chart review of all CDH patients between 1980 and 2007 was conducted noting subsequent surgeries and the impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on the types of surgical procedures. Comparison of groups was done by Fisher's Exact test or nonparametric Wilcoxon rank-sum test where appropriate. A P value of less than .05 was considered significant.

Results

Data were analyzed for 227 of 294 patients during this period. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was used in 45% of patients. Subsequent surgery was required in 117 patients. Seventy patients in the ECMO group (69%) required a subsequent operation. The most common operative procedures included inguinal hernia/orchiopexy, antireflux, and recurrent diaphragmatic hernias.

Conclusion

In this series, ECMO survivors are at a high risk for requiring subsequent surgeries compared to the total CDH group. This information can be used as an education tool for referring physicians and parents as they care for this group of children.     

Contemporary outcomes of open thoracic aortic surgery in a veteran population: do risk models exaggerate mortality?

Background

We evaluated contemporary outcomes of open thoracic aortic surgery at a Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center affiliated with a major academic aortic program and examined the predictive value of 2 established cardiac risk models.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all open thoracic aortic operations performed between April 1998 and April 2008 (n = 100). Both the EuroSCORE and the VA Continuous Improvement in Cardiac Surgery Program (CICSP) scores were evaluated.

Results

Procedures included ascending aortic repair (n = 74, 15 with arch repair), descending thoracic repair (n = 11, 1 with arch repair), and thoracoabdominal aortic repair (n = 15). Emergency surgery was necessary in 15 cases, and 19 procedures were reoperations. The patients' logistic EuroSCORE and the CICSP scores were similar (18.7% and 18.2%, respectively), but both scores significantly exceeded the observed operative mortality rate (8.0%, P = .008).

Conclusions

Good outcomes can be achieved when thoracic aortic surgery is performed at an experienced VA center. The cardiac risk models we examined overpredicted operative mortality.