Lateral approach to laparoscopic repair of left diaphragmatic ruptures

Blunt Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia in Children: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia (TDH) is rare in children, most often occurring following blunt thoracoabdominal trauma from high energy mechanisms, such as motor vehicle collisions (MVC). We performed a systematic review to describe injury details and management.

METHODS

Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic literature search was performed to identify publications of blunt TDH in patients < 18 y old. Conflicts were resolved by consensus. Data were collected on demographics, TDH location, mechanism of injury, associated intraabdominal injuries (IAI), management, and outcomes. Denominators vary depending on number of patients with such information reported.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight articles were reviewed with 142 patients with TDH. The median age was seven y (range 0.25-16). Most were left-sided (85 of 126, 67.5%). MVC was the most common mechanism (66 of 142, 46.5%). IAI was present in 50.0% (57 of 114), most commonly liver injuries (25 of 57, 43.9%). Delayed diagnoses occurred in 49.6% (57 of 115, range 8 h-10 y), and were more common with right-sided TDH (76.0% versus 48.5%, P = 0.02). Chest radiography was 59.0% sensitive for TDH, while computed tomography sensitivity was 65.8%. Operative repair was performed on all surviving patients, and all underwent primary diaphragm repair. The overall mortality was 11.3% (n = 16), with four attributable to the TDH. There were no reported recurrences over a median follow-up of 12 mo.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric TDH is a rare diagnosis with a high rate of associated IAI and delayed diagnosis. Primary diaphragm repair was performed in all cases. Surgeons should maintain a high suspicion for diaphragm injury in blunt thoracoabdominal trauma.

When laparoscopic repair is feasible for diaphragmatic hernia in adults? A retrospective study and literature review

BACKGROUND

Diaphragmatic hernia (DH), congenital or traumatic, is uncommon but sometimes can lead to a serious surgical emergency. There are no clinical guidelines or approved recommendations for the management of this condition, and most data are from retrospective, single-institution series. The aim is to analyze the management of the DH at our institution and review the indications for laparoscopic repair.

METHODS

A retrospective serie of patients diagnosed of DH with surgical treatment at our institution between 2009 and 2019. Literature review was carried out to establish the current indications of laparoscopic repair in each type of DH.

RESULTS

Surgery was carried out in 15 patients with DH, 5 congenital and 10 traumatic hernias. Traumatic hernias were classified as acute (n = 2) and chronic (n = 8). 53.4% of all cases (8 patients) required urgent surgery using an abdominal approach (5 open and 3 laparoscopic) and elective surgery was performed in 46.6% of all cases (7 patients) with an abdominal approach (3 open and 4 laparoscopic) and 2 patients with a combined approach. Primary repair was performed in 4 patients (26.6%), closure and mesh reinforcement in 9 cases (60%) and only mesh placement in 2 patients (13.4%). Postoperative morbidity and mortality were 20% and 0%, respectively. No recurrences were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

DH may pose different scenarios which require urgent or elective surgical treatment. Laparoscopic approach may be a first option in elective surgery; and in emergency setting taking into account hemodynamic stability and associated injuries.

Relevance of early CT scan diagnosis of blunt diaphragmatic injury: A retrospective analysis from the Northern French Alps Emergency Network

INTRODUCTION

Diaphragmatic rupture following blunt trauma occurs rarely. Classically described after high-velocity accidents, ruptures are often associated with multiple organ injuries. The diagnosis is sometimes difficult. The goal of this study was to analyze and to discuss the modalities of early radiologic diagnosis and management of these injuries.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This multicenter retrospective study included patients seen between 2009 and 2017 within the Northern Alpine Emergency Network [REseau Nord Alpin des Urgences (RENAU)]. Clinical, radiologic and surgical data from all patients sustaining blunt diaphragmatic rupture were studied.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients (18 men and 13 women), median age 44, were included. The principle mechanism of injury was road or traffic accidents for 22 patients. Diaphragmatic rupture occurred on the left side in 23 patients. Diagnosis was delayed in two patients, at 11 days and three months after the initial accident. Chest X-rays were diagnostic in 18 of 29 patients. CT scan was the reference investigation since it was performed in all patients and confirmed the diagnosis in 26 instances. Repair was surgical via a midline laparotomy in 27 patients, via laparoscopy in three, and via thoracoscopy in one. Three patients died.

CONCLUSION

At urgent surgical exploration in the unstable blunt trauma patient, the surgeon should keep in mind the relatively poor diagnostic performance of chest X-rays. Accurate diagnosis relies on routine inspection of the diaphragmatic cupolas. In the stable trauma victim, contrast-enhanced abdomino-thoracic CT with reconstruction can lead to early diagnosis, which allows for repair under optimal conditions, whether by laparotomy, laparoscopy or thoracoscopy, according to local conditions and expertise.

The right lateral position for laparoscopic diaphragmatic hernia repair in pregnancy: technique and review of the literature

Maternal diaphragmatic hernia is a rare disorder of pregnancy. Laparoscopic repair of diaphragmatic hernias is gaining more and more consideration among the surgical community. To date, only a few centers have reported using the laparoscopic approach for diaphragmatic hernias occurring in pregnancy. As congenital diaphragmatic hernias occur mostly on the left side, a right lateral position would theoretically facilitate the surgery and would render an eventual simultaneous left thoracoscopy feasible without repositioning the patient. However, such a position in a pregnant woman has serious implications because of possible inferior vena cava compression by the gravid uterus. We performed a laparoscopic reduction and repair of a left foramen of Bochdalek hernia in a 26-week-pregnant patient, using a right lateral position. The right lateral position facilitated the procedure, without any adverse outcome for the fetus or the mother. This approach should be considered for any left diaphragmatic hernia repair occurring in pregnancy.

[Thoracic kidney: congenital or traumatic origin?]

The discovery of a thoracic kidney in adult patients can lead to three diagnoses, yielding different prognoses and treatment. It can either mean traumatic or congenital diaphragmatic hernia, or a congenital ectopic kidney. Intrathoracic herniation of the left kidney trough a left diaphragmatic rupture is an exceptional discovery. We report the case of a 44 year-old man who met with a car accident 20 years ago, and presented abdominal pain. CT-scan showed an intrathoracic herniation of the left kidney trough a left posterior diaphragmatic rupture. Laparoscopic approach in lateral position showed a traumatic hernia of the left costo-diaphragmatic hiatus only containing the left kidney and its pedicle. After reduction of herniated left kidney into the abdomen, the hiatus was closed by non-resorbable prosthetic mesh. Postoperative course was uneventful.

Minimally invasive surgery in trauma: technology looking for an application

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive surgery has achieved pre-eminence for certain operations in general surgery over the last two decades, as the reduction in surgical insult has produced faster recovery with enhanced patient satisfaction and favourable health economics. Minimally invasive techniques have been less enthusiastically adopted by the trauma surgical community, despite some evidence of efficacy for nearly 40 years.

METHODS

The literature on minimally invasive techniques in trauma was reviewed.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

To date, minimally invasive surgery has played only a small role in trauma surgery. As clearer indications emerge and technology improves, surgeons should be encouraged to incorporate laparoscopy and video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) into their protocols and gain familiarity and expertise with their use.