Improved results in patients who have congenital diaphragmatic hernia using preoperative stabilization, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and delayed surgery.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is associated with pulmonary hypoplasia. The pulmonary vascular bed may be extremely reactive to various stimuli, and in the treatment it is important to avoid pulmonary vasospasm. The strategy in our institution since 1990 has involved a prolonged preoperative stabilization with gentle mechanical ventilation. Pressures have been kept as low as possible, and slight hypercarbia has been accepted. Peak inspiratory pressures exceeding 35 cm H2O have been avoided. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used according to standard inclusion criteria. Nitric oxide and high-frequency oscillation have been added to the therapeutic modalities during the study period. When the patient was considered stabilized, surgical repair was undertaken after a delay of 24 to 96 hours. In patients on ECMO who could not be decannulated, surgical repair was undertaken while on ECMO. From 1990 through 1995, 52 patients were admitted with a diagnosis of CDH. Forty-three of these were risk group patients presenting with respiratory distress within 6 hours after birth. A total of 48 patients survived (survival rate 92%), and 39 of the risk group patients (survival rate 91%). There were only four hospital deaths, all with contraindications to ECMO. It is suggested that the adopted protocol is beneficial in the treatment of CDH and that the fraction of patients who have pulmonary hypoplasia incompatible with life is smaller than previously believed.