Catherine Fox1, Michael Stewart2, Sebastian K King3, Neil Patel4. 1. Paediatric Infant Perinatal Emergency Retrieval Service, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: catherine.fox@rch.org.au. 2. Paediatric Infant Perinatal Emergency Retrieval Service, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Neonatal Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Neonatal Services, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 3. Department of Paediatric Surgery, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Surgical Research Department, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 4. Department of Neonatology, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) affects 1 in 3000 live births. Modern management strategies include delayed repair of the diaphragm to permit pre-operative optimization of cardiorespiratory status. We describe a cohort of neonates in whom early emergency operative intervention was required for potentially fatal intestinal compromise. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all neonatal CDH patients managed at a tertiary center in an 8-year period (2005-2012). RESULTS: A total of 126 CDH patients were managed during the 8-year period. Five neonates (male - 1; gestation 37+4-39+7; birth weight 2.9-3.7kg; left CDH - 5) required emergency operative intervention for presumed gastrointestinal compromise. All five neonates demonstrated systemic hypotension despite inotropic support, raised serum lactate (>2mmol/L), and abnormal radiographic findings. Operative intervention occurred within 3days of birth (1-3days). Findings included gastric volvulus, jejunal volvulus, and perforated caecum. All patients underwent primary diaphragmatic repair without a patch. Temporary ileostomy was required in 1 patient. All patients remain alive. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal compromise is a rare, but potentially catastrophic, complication of CDH. Emergency operative intervention may be required in a select cohort of patients. Early deterioration following birth should alert clinicians to the possibility of significant intestinal pathology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV case series with no comparison group. Copyright Â
BACKGROUND:Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) affects 1 in 3000 live births. Modern management strategies include delayed repair of the diaphragm to permit pre-operative optimization of cardiorespiratory status. We describe a cohort of neonates in whom early emergency operative intervention was required for potentially fatal intestinal compromise. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all neonatal CDH patients managed at a tertiary center in an 8-year period (2005-2012). RESULTS: A total of 126 CDH patients were managed during the 8-year period. Five neonates (male - 1; gestation 37+4-39+7; birth weight 2.9-3.7kg; left CDH - 5) required emergency operative intervention for presumed gastrointestinal compromise. All five neonates demonstrated systemic hypotension despite inotropic support, raised serum lactate (>2mmol/L), and abnormal radiographic findings. Operative intervention occurred within 3days of birth (1-3days). Findings included gastric volvulus, jejunal volvulus, and perforated caecum. All patients underwent primary diaphragmatic repair without a patch. Temporary ileostomy was required in 1 patient. All patients remain alive. CONCLUSION:Gastrointestinal compromise is a rare, but potentially catastrophic, complication of CDH. Emergency operative intervention may be required in a select cohort of patients. Early deterioration following birth should alert clinicians to the possibility of significant intestinal pathology. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV case series with no comparison group. Copyright Â