Surgical approaches to congenital diaphragmatic hernia

• Published in: Seminars in pediatric surgery Vol. 33; no. 4; p. 151441
• Main Authors: King, Sarah, Carr, Benjamin D.E., Mychaliska, George B., Church, Joseph T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-08-2024
• Subjects: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH); Extracorporeal life support (ECLS); Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation - methods; Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital - surgery; Herniorrhaphy - methods; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Muscle flap; Patch; Surgical repair; Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH); Patch; Surgical repair; Muscle flap; Extracorporeal life support (ECLS)
• ISSN: 1055-8586; 1532-9453; 1532-9453
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sempedsurg.2024.151441

Surgical repair of the diaphragm is essential for survival in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). There are many considerations surrounding the operation – why the operation matters, optimal timing of repair and its relation to extracorporeal life support (ECLS) use, minimally invasive versus open approaches, and strategies for reconstruction. Surgery is both affected by, and affects, the physiology of these infants and is an important factor in determining long-term outcomes. Here we discuss the evidence and provide insight surrounding this complex decision making, technical pearls, and outcomes in repair of CDH.