Porcine dermal patches as a risk factor for recurrence after congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair

Recurrence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a treatment-related morbidity which can be preventable. There is no consensus about the ideal material for diaphragmatic substitution. The aim of our study is to identify if the use of porcine dermis patches increases the risk of CDH recurrence.

Retrospective review of medical records of CDH patients treated between 2013 and 2017 in our center was carried out. Demographic, clinical and surgical variables were collected. Regression analysis was performed to identify which factors increase the risk of recurrence.

50 patients entered the study. 94% of the patients had a left CDH, mean observed/expected lung-to-head ratio was 46%. 17 patients underwent a primary closure, the rest a patch closure: 25 Gore-Tex^® and 8 porcine dermis patches were used. Seven patients presented recurrence (14%). Median follow-up time was 3.5 years (1.2-6.2). Univariate analysis revealed that the use of a porcine dermis patch (75%) increased the risk of recurrence compared with Gore-Tex^® patch (4%) and primary closure (0%) p < 0.001 (HR 58.7; IC 95%: 6.9-501.2; p < 0.001).

The main risk factor for CDH recurrence is the use of a porcine dermis patch. We do not recommend the use of these patches for CDH repair.