Laparoscopic repair of iatrogenic anterior diaphragmatic hernia

Abstract

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a relatively common condition with an incidence of about 1 in 2000 to 1 in 5000 live births. Most cases occur posterolaterally through the foramen of Bochdalek and usually present immediately after birth with respiratory distress. Congenital anterior diaphragmatic hernia (Morgagni's hernia) is rare, accounting for less than 5% of all types of congenital diaphragmatic hernias. Most of these cases are seen in older children and are usually asymptomatically discovered incidentally or during investigations for some other unrelated condition. Iatrogenic anterior diaphragmatic hernia on the other hand is extremely rare. This report describes an iatrogenic anterior diaphragmatic hernia in a 6-month-old child following cardiac surgery that was repaired laparoscopically. The literature on the subject is also reviewed.