Posteromedial diaphragmatic hernia following pediatric liver transplantation

Abstract

Diaphragmatic hernia is a rare complication following pediatric LT. Here, four children who developed right-sided posteromedial diaphragmatic hernias after LT are reported. The primary disease was biliary atresia in two patients, hemangioendothelioma in one, and angiosarcoma in one patient. All of the patients underwent living-donor LT using a left lateral graft. The patients presented with abdominal and/or pulmonary signs and symptoms. The diaphragmatic hernias were diagnosed at 28 days to seven months post-transplant by standard radiographs or chest CT. The defects were located at the posteromedial aspect of the diaphragm and were closed by primary closure. After diaphragm repair, the post-operative course was unremarkable and there were no recurrences. Thermal or mechanical injuries to the bare area, especially in cases of excessive adhesion between the liver and diaphragm after Kasai operation, were the possible causes of the posteromedial diaphragmatic hernia after pediatric LT.