Giant Bochdalek Hernia: A Minimally Invasive Transabdominal Approach

A Bochdalek hernia is the most common congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). It can rarely evade prenatal detection and persist into adulthood with minimal symptoms. Large CDH repair has often required an open approach in the past. In this article, we present a case of a patient with large CDH who was asymptomatic until later in her adult life who subsequently developed symptoms and sought a surgical evaluation. A minimally invasive transabdominal approach was used to effectively reduce and repair this rare giant hernia. The patient has remained free of recurrence and has had resolution of her symptoms after 18 months of follow-up. This case illustrates that even the largest of these can be handled in a minimally invasive fashion and achieve durable results.