Hepatic pulmonary fusion: a rare case.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Thoracic Surgery
• Medical Case Reports

Background:

• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a birth defect where the diaphragm has a hole, allowing abdominal organs into the chest.
• Right-sided CDH is less common and often associated with more severe outcomes.
• Hepatic herniation into the chest is a known complication of CDH.

Observation:

• A seven-month-old infant presented with symptoms indicative of a right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
• Intraoperative findings revealed an unusual fusion between the herniated portion of the liver and the lower lobe of the right lung.
• This represents a rare anatomical anomaly associated with CDH.

Findings:

• The infant had a right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia with hepatic-pulmonary fusion.
• Surgical management involved the successful reduction of the herniated liver and repair of the diaphragmatic defect.
• Post-operative recovery was uneventful, demonstrating the feasibility of surgical intervention.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of anatomical variations in congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
• It underscores the importance of thorough intraoperative assessment for unexpected anomalies.
• Successful surgical management of this rare presentation provides valuable data for future pediatric surgical practice and literature review.