Management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Abstract

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) has an incidence of between one in 2000-5000 live births. The hidden mortality associated with CDH includes spontaneous abortions and stillbirths as well as therapeutic abortions (often for other identified anomalies). The management of CDH has been intensely debated since Ladd and Gross stated in 1940 that early surgery was the proper treatment for these patients. 1 Controversies have surrounded ideal preoperative management, timing of surgery, and indeed whether surgery should be oVered to all. 2 Despite the advances in neonatal care, inroads into mortality which might have been anticipated have not materialised and it remains relatively unchanged at 40-50%. The role of new therapeutic modalities such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), surfactant, high frequency ventilation (HFV), inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), in utero interventions, and liquid ventilation have intensified the debate.