Thoracolaparoscopic repair of diaphragmatic hernias

Complex long-standing diaphragmatic hernia presenting in adults is often managed through an open approach. Minimal invasive approach by either laparoscopy or thoracoscopy is limited by its ability to tackle these complex hernias with large defects and thoraco-mediastinal adhesions. Thus, standard laparoscopic or thoracoscopic approach is associated with high conversion to open approach. We herein describe a novel combined thoraco-laparoscopic approach to repair complex diaphragmatic hernias in a series of three adults.