Despite the fact that it is diagnosed antenatally, and despite the availability of improved intensive care, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is still associated with high mortality. [1][2][3] To overcome this problem, a variety of techniques have been proposed to decrease the pulmonary vascular resistance, and correct the hypoxia, acidosis and hypotension. These include in utero surgical repair, 4 introduction of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, 5,6 and an extended period of preoperative stabilization. [7][8][9][10][11][12] Several investigators have proposed extended preoperative medical stabilization followed by delayed repair, but the results of such an approach in terms of overall outcome are controversial. [10][11][12] This report represents our experience with the management of 47 patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia and analyzes the effect of preoperative stabilization on outcome.
Patients and MethodsThis is a retrospective study of all patients admitted since 1982 to Tawam Hospital, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates, with the diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The medical records of these patients were reviewed for age at presentation, sex, gestational age, birth weight, whether born at Tawam Hospital or referred from another hospital, associated anomalies, type and site of hernia, contents of the hernia, preoperative and postoperative management, blood gas parameters and outcome. The blood gases, as well as the alveolar arterial O 2 gradient (AaDO 2 =[173xFiO 2 ] -[PaCO 2 /0.8] -PaO 2 ) were analyzed in terms of outcome. The effect of preoperative stabilization, as well as changes in blood gas parameters, were also analyzed using Student's t-test. In the stabilized group, surgery was delayed in an attempt to achieve a pH of more than 7.2, PO 2 of greater than 50 torr, and PCO 2 of less than 50 torr.After evaluation at the Intensive Care Unit, endotracheal intubation was performed when indicated, and the patients were ventilated, using positive pressure ventilation (PPV) to start with, and positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP). Chest and abdominal x-rays were obtained, and respiratory support, as well as the ventilatory settings, were adjusted according to the blood gas estimates, which were obtained via umbilical and/or radial arterial catheters. Bowel decompression was achieved by nasogastric aspiration. All ventilated infants were paralyzed, and volume expanders as well as dopamine were used when indicated to maintain their blood pressure. Talozoline, surfactant, nitric oxide and dexamethasone were not used in any of our patients, and metabolic acidosis was corrected with bicarbonate therapy.All operations were performed by a transverse upper abdominal incision. After reducing the contents, primary closure of the diaphragmatic defect was performed and prosthetic graft was used whenever primary repair without tension could not be achieved.
ResultsFrom 1982 to 1997, a total of 47 cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia were admitted to our hospital. There were three cases of M...