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Hazardous Hernia: Mechanical Ventilation in an Adult With a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Julie Gaudin1, Sneh Parekh1, Claudia Aleman Oliva1
1Internal Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville, Jacksonville, USA.
Insights
Congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDH) can be diagnosed late in adults, causing respiratory distress and airway management challenges. Lung-protective ventilation is recommended for these rare adult CDH cases to prevent complications.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare developmental defect typically diagnosed in infancy.
- Delayed diagnosis of CDH in adults is uncommon but presents unique airway management challenges.
- Adult CDH can lead to respiratory distress, gastric insufflation, and mechanical compression of thoracic organs.
Abstract:
Congenital diaphragmatic hernias (CDHs) are developmental defects often found in infancy; however, they may be rarely found as a delayed diagnosis in adults. Although often an incidental finding, adult patients with preexisting CDH who present with symptoms of respiratory distress pose unique challenges in airway management. Complications include gastric insufflation, mechanical compression of the surrounding viscera, exacerbation of respiratory distress, and failed ventilatory weaning. We present the case of a 70-year-old female with acute hypoxic respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation in the setting of a large, preexisting CDH. The patient's hospital course was complicated by gastric insufflation requiring gastric decompression, with the need for prolonged ventilator support and repeated extubation failure requiring tracheostomy placement. The literature on ventilator management in adults with CDH remains limited; however, lung-protective ventilation is recommended due to the risk of gastric insufflation and mediastinal compression due to preexisting CDH.
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