[Current Management of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia]

Three types of congenital diaphragmatic hernias( Bochdalek hernia, Morgagni hernia, and esophageal hiatus hernia) are described with case presentation. In the Bochdalek hernia, the most common type of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, abdominal contents pass into the thorac bia diaphragmatic defect, limiting the space available for the developing lungs. Resulting lung hypoplasia, many infants experience severe respiratory distress within minutes of birth and may require resuscitation and stabilization of cardio-pulmonary function prior to surgery. The Morgagni hernia is rare and often incidentally diagnosed on routine chest x-ray in asymptomatic patients. Repair is still advisable due to risk of strangulated bowel and respiratory distress. Esophageal hiatal hernias usually produce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux( GERD) and rarely result in incarceration of stomach or other organs. Surgical interventions for GERD, such as Nissen fundoplication, usually target neurologically impaired children in order to prevent aspiration pneumonia and improve quality of life. Laparoscopic surgery is beneficial for all types of diaphragmatic hernia, especially in older children, but careful consideration should be made based on individual patient background.