Presence of hernia sac in prediction of postoperative outcome in congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

We conducted this study to assess the value of presence of hernia sac in prediction of postoperative outcome in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Data were obtained form medical records of 70 children operated for CDH between 2002-12. Postoperative neonatal death occurred in 1/10 (10%) of infants with a hernia sac and 26/60 (43.3%) in cases without a hernia sac, respectively (P =0.04). Perinatal morbidity in surviving infants was lower in the group with a hernia sac although not significantly. We conclude that the presence of a hernia sac is associated with better postoperative outcome and overall prognosis of CDH.