Thoracoscopic repair of diaphragmatic eventration

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Thoracic Surgery
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Diaphragmatic eventration is a rare congenital condition affecting infants, potentially leading to respiratory complications.
• Recurrent chest infections can be a significant morbidity in children with diaphragmatic eventration.
• Conservative management often fails, necessitating surgical intervention.

Observation:

• A 6-month-old infant presented with recurrent chest infections due to right diaphragmatic eventration.
• Initial conservative management strategies were unsuccessful in alleviating the infant's symptoms.

Findings:

• Thoracoscopic plication was performed at 17 months of age.
• The child was discharged on the third postoperative day and remained symptom-free at one-year follow-up.
• Chest X-ray confirmed marked improvement in the right diaphragm's position post-surgery.

Implications:

• Thoracoscopy offers a minimally invasive and effective surgical option for treating pediatric diaphragmatic eventration.
• This approach can lead to rapid recovery and long-term resolution of respiratory symptoms.
• Early surgical consideration may be warranted in cases of failed conservative management.