Thoracoscopic surgery for congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a report of nine cases

PURPOSE: To describe the surgical technique and early results of thoracoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of patients with CDH who underwent thoracoscopic surgery in our institution over a period of 15 months. There were nine patients, five boys and four girls, ranging in age from 7 days to 8 years. All nine patients underwent surgery under general anaesthesia. Reduction of the hernia contents was carried out using one optical trocar and two operating trocars. Pleural insufflation with carbon dioxide was maintained at a pressure of 2 to 4 mmHg. The hernia defect was repaired using non-absorbable interrupted sutures. RESULTS: The hernia was located on the left side in seven patients and on the right side in two. The mean operative time was 80 minutes. In all patients, the chest tube was removed on the first postoperative day. All patients were discharged on the fifth postoperative day. Chest X-ray and clinical examination 3 months after surgery were normal in all patients. CONCLUSION: The thoracoscopic approach for the repair of CDH in children, including small infants and newborns, is feasible and safe. The technique causes minimal trauma, results in good respiratory function, and promotes early recovery.