Innovative therapies in the management of newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

A number of innovative approaches have been explored in the hope of improving the outcome in newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and respiratory insufficiency. Among these are the techniques of delayed approach to the repair of the diaphragmatic hernia; permissive hypercapnia; nitric oxide and surfactant administration; intratracheal pulmonary ventilation; liquid ventilation; perfluorocarbon-induced lung growth; and lung transplantation. Although early in their clinical evolution, these interventions are developing rapidly and hold promise for improving the outcome in patients with CDH.