Thoracoscopic repair for right congenital diaphragmatic hernia

The aim of this study is to describe the surgical technique and initial results of thoracoscopic repair for the right congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Patients underwent surgery under conventional general anesthesia. The operation was carried out by using one optical and two operating trocars. Pleural insufflation with carbon dioxide was maintained at a pressure of 2-4 mm Hg. The hernia defect was repaired by using nonabsorbable interrupted sutures with extracorporeal knots.

There were 16 patients, including 13 boys and 3 girls. Six patients were newborns and the other 10 patients were infants or elders. The mean operative time was 82 minutes. Conversion was required in 1 patient. There were no operative or postoperative complications. However, there was one postoperative death. There was one recurrence on postoperative day 39. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 77 months. A normal chest X-ray was shown in all patients.

Thoracoscopic repair is feasible and safe for children with a right CDH, including selected newborns.