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Late Complication of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair: Recurrent Small Bowel Obstruction
Vishalini Sivarajah1, Priyank Bhatnagar1, Katherine N Tom2
1From the Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto.
Insights
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) survivors may face late complications like bowel obstruction. This case highlights the need for emergency physicians to recognize these potential long-term issues in adolescent CDH patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neonatal Care
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) historically has high mortality.
- Improved neonatal care enhances survival into adolescence and adulthood.
- Late complications following CDH repair are increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of recurrent small bowel obstruction in an adolescent with a history of CDH.
- To emphasize the importance of considering late CDH complications in emergency medicine.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 17-year-old male patient.
- Review of patient history including CDH repair in infancy.
- Clinical presentation and management of recurrent small bowel obstruction.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with recurrent small bowel obstruction.
- The obstruction was a late complication following CDH repair performed at 2 days of age.
- Diagnosis and management of the obstructive symptoms were addressed.
Conclusions:
- Adolescents surviving CDH repair can develop late gastrointestinal complications.
- Emergency physicians must maintain awareness of potential late complications after neonatal CDH repair.
- Early recognition and management are crucial for improved outcomes in these patients.
Abstract:
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is associated with high early mortality. However, advances in newborn care have led to improved survival into adolescence and early adulthood. We report a 17-year-old adolescent boy with recurrent small bowel obstruction after CDH repair at 2 days of age. Emergency physicians should be aware of late complications after neonatal CDH repair.
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