Eventration of the diaphragm

Comparison of short-term outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) plication of diaphragmatic eventration - a six-year prospective cohort study

Diaphragmatic eventration is one of the rarest conditions characterized by elevation of the hemidiaphragm while maintaining its normal attachments. In recent years, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has gained popularity for diaphragmatic surgery. In this study, we share our experience over six years with VATS plication of diaphragmatic eventration. We conducted a prospective study at our institute for six years from April 2016 to March 2021, which included 37 symptomatic patients with diaphragmatic eventration. The sample size reported in this study is one of the largest to date for VATS diaphragmatic plication. Of these, 18 patients underwent combined stapler and suture plication, and 19 patients underwent single modality approach (10-stapled resection, 9-suture alone plication). All patients were followed-up for a minimum of 2 years. Comparative analysis of the combined approach and the single modality approach was performed. The mean operative time was significantly longer with the combined approach (p value < 0.01). However, there was no difference in postoperative pain (p value = 0.50), analgesia requirement (p value = 0.72), or pleural drainage (p value = 0.32) between the two approaches. Although not statistically significant, the combined approach had fewer post-operative complications (p value = 0.32). Besides, the Single modality approach resulted in one recurrence (p value = 0.32) and one mortality (p value = 0.32). VATS diaphragmatic plication using staplers and/or sutures is safe and efficacious in the management of diaphragmatic eventration. Surgeons should consider using both staplers and sutures whenever possible, rather than selecting one over the other.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Eventration in the Neonatal Period: Systematic Review of the Literature and Report of a Rare Case Presenting with Gastrointestinal Disorders

BACKGROUND

The term congenital diaphragmatic eventration (CDE) refers to an anatomical abnormality of the diaphragm. It is a very rare condition; however, early and prompt diagnosis is of very great importance due to possible life-threatening complications. Most severely affected patients are neonates, usually presented with respiratory distress symptoms. The aim of this study was to systematically review the existing literature and to consolidate data on CDE in neonates as well as to report a case of a neonate with congenital diaphragmatic eventration of the left hemidiaphragm and clinical signs and symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract.

METHODS

An electronic search of the PubMed and Scopus databases was performed regarding studies evaluating the clinical presentation, diagnosis methods, treatments, and outcomes of CDE in the neonatal population.

RESULTS

Data from 93 studies were integrated into our review, reporting 204 CDE cases, and according to them, the male/female ratio was 1/1 with a predominance of right-sided eventration. The diagnosis was primarily established by chest X-ray; surgical intervention was the most frequent treatment. The recurrence rate was 8.3% (9/109 cases).

CONCLUSIONS

Early and accurate diagnosis of CDE and repair of the diaphragm can prevent complications, reduce morbidity, and improve the quality of patient's life.

Congenital CMV associated with diaphragm dysfunction: a rare cause of tachypnoea

A late preterm infant with intrauterine growth restriction developed respiratory distress, tachypnoea and hypoxia after birth, requiring supplemental oxygen. Chest radiographs demonstrated persistent elevation of the right hemidiaphragm. Chest ultrasound initially demonstrated symmetrical bilateral diaphragm motion, but subsequent ultrasounds showed asymmetrical excursion with weaker movement of the right hemidiaphragm. Placental pathology demonstrated chronic infectious villitis secondary to cytomegalovirus (CMV), and subsequent CMV testing on the infant was positive. The infant was microcephalic and head imaging revealed intracranial calcifications, consistent with congenital CMV infection.CMV is the most common congenital infection and has a wide array of clinical manifestations. This report highlights the rarely described association between congenital CMV infection and respiratory distress due to underlying diaphragm dysfunction. In neonates with respiratory distress and features of congenital CMV infection, clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for diaphragm dysfunction.

Congenital unilateral diaphragmatic eventration in adults – a case series with a brief literature review

 Objective: The aim of this article was to present the results of thoracotomy performed in three symptomatic adult patients with congenital diaphragm eventration in the light of current literature data. Methods: Along with representation of the surgical management of each case, a brief review of literature was performed. Results and Conclusion:  Diaphragmatic eventration is a rare clinical entity that may be congenital or acquired. Surgery, which may be open or endoscopic, is the primary treatment modality for symptomatic patients.

Fetal Diaphragmatic Eventration: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Congenital diaphragmatic eventration (CDE) is a rare congenital malformation that is well described in the pediatric literature. In contrast to congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), there is no physical defect in the diaphragm with CDE. Prenatal differentiation of the two pathologies represents a diagnostic and prognostic challenge.

CASE

A 26-year-old nulliparous woman was evaluated for a fetal thoracic mass. At 22 weeks, detailed morphology ultrasound revealed a multi-cystic structure in the left side of the thorax. Differential diagnosis included cystic congenital adenomatoid pulmonary malformation and CDH. Left diaphragmatic eventration was added to the differential diagnosis when serial ultrasound at 36 weeks showed the left hemidiaphragm as a thin membrane bulging into the fetal chest with the left kidney in a higher position underneath. The male infant was delivered vaginally at 37³ weeks. CT imaging at 2 days of life showed findings consistent with left diaphragmatic eventration with protrusion of small bowel loops and the left kidney underneath. The infant was successfully extubated 3 days later and remained on nasal cannula until discharge on day 17 of life. At 6 months, the infant required operative repair owing to increasing shortness of breath.

CONCLUSION

CDE is a rare and difficult diagnosis to consider prenatally. Probable associated features may aid diagnosis. Additional, larger case series are needed to improve prenatal differentiation of this condition.

Bilateral congenital eventration of diaphragm: keep in mind, the other side

Eventration of diaphragm is an uncommon disorder in which diaphragmatic muscle is replaced by fibroelastic tissue, either partially or completely. Bilateral eventration is even rarer. We present a case of bilateral eventration of diaphragm in newborn with a fibroelastic sac on left side and diaphragmatic eventration with good muscular lips on right side. The right-sided diaphragmatic eventration was not evident initially, but manifested after surgical repair of the left-sided eventration.

Diaphragmatic eventration in children: laparoscopy versus thoracoscopic plication

AIM

To determine the best way to perform diaphragmatic plication for diaphragmatic eventration (DE) using minimally invasive surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of pediatric cases of DE treated between 2007 and 2012. Thoracoscopic plication (TP) is performed using single-lung ventilation with three 5-mm ports; laparoscopic plication (LP) is performed using three or four 5-mm ports. The choice of technique was determined preferentially by the treating surgeon.

RESULTS

There were 20 subjects (13 treated by LP and 7 treated by TP). Etiology of DE was phrenic nerve injury (LP, n=11; TP, n=1) and muscular deficiency (LP, n=2; TP, n=6). Mean age (LP, 18 months; TP, 25 months) and weight (LP, 8.0 kg; TP, 9.7 kg) at surgery were not significantly different. Mean operating time was 155.6 minutes in LP and 167.0 minutes in TP (P=not significant). Mean intraoperative end-tidal CO2 was 41.9 mm Hg (range, 35-52 mm Hg) in LP and 36.9 mm Hg (range, 33-41 mm Hg) in TP (P=.01). Mean duration of postoperative ventilation was 1.2 days in LP and 1.3 days in TP (P=not significant). Mean time taken to recommence feeding postoperatively was 1.6 days in both groups (P=not significant). Complications were one conversion to thoracotomy in TP, 1 case of atelectasis in each group (P=not significant), and 6 cases of recurrence in LP versus none in TP (P=.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Both TP and LP are beneficial for treating small children with DE. However, there is a higher incidence of recurrence after LP, and the role of TP in cardiac patients requiring subsequent surgery is debatable.

Gastric mesenteroaxial volvulus with partial eventration of left hemidiaphragm: A rare case report

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Eventration of diaphragm is an abnormal elevation of an intact diaphragm characterized by a developmental abnormality of the diaphragm musculature.

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Eventration may be complicated by acute gastric volvulus, chronic gastric volvulus, or chronic recurrent volvulus of the splenic flexure of the colon.

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Symptomatic gastric volvulus associated with diaphragmatic eventration is a surgical emergency.

Background

Eventration of diaphragm associated with gastric volvulus is an uncommon condition.

Case presentation

We reporting a case of a 16-year-old male having left sided diaphragmatic eventration associated with acute mesenteroaxial gastric volvulus. The patient presented with acute pain abdomen and upper abdomen fullness. Plication of left hemidiaphragm with anterior gastropexy was performed through an abdominal approach. Postoperatively the patient’s recover uneventfully.

Conclusion

Symptomatic gastric volvulus associated with diaphragmatic eventration is a surgical emergency and always requires surgical repair.

Thoracoscopic and laparoscopic plication of the hemidiaphragm is effective in the management of diaphragmatic eventration

PURPOSE

Diaphragmatic plication by minimally invasive surgery is thought to allow for a quick recovery and has been performed on small children. Here, we report our experience with different plication procedures to discuss how to choose among these different plication procedures in endoscopic surgery for pediatric patients with diaphragmatic eventration.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 27 pediatric patients (21 boys, 6 girls; median age: 12.7 months, range 2 months-3 years) admitted to our hospital between November 2008 and July 2013. Three different plication procedures were used: the "reefing the mainsail" technique (8 patients), "invaginating the diaphragmatic dome" technique (10 patients), and "pleating" technique (9 patients). Indications included ventilator dependency (7.41 %), respiratory distress (22.22 %), chronic lung lobe collapse (11.11 %), persistent atelectasis with recurrent pneumonias (18.52 %), and asymptomatic severe eventration (40.74 %).

RESULTS

Descending distance of diaphragm after surgery ranged from 1 to 4.5 intercostal spaces (mean distance: 2.65 intercostal spaces). All patients recovered well postoperatively, except for one patient with a pneumothorax. Two patients who required respiratory support before the operation no longer required it within 7 d after surgery. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 35 months. Clinical results were satisfactory with obvious improvement in symptoms and a slight re-elevation within a distance of one intercostal space.

CONCLUSION

For pediatric patients with diaphragmatic eventration, different endoscopic surgeries and plication procedures all yielded satisfactory results. We believe that the choice of one procedure over the other depends only on the surgeon's experience.

Congenital eventration of hemidiaphragm in an adult

Congenital diaphragmatic eventration is a common condition in infancy but is a rare anomaly in an adult. The muscle is permanently elevated, but keeps its continuity and attachments to the costal margins, which differentiates diaphragmatic eventration from diaphragmatic hernia. We describe a case of congenital eventration of the left diaphragm in a 35-year-old male who underwent successful surgical repair.

Thoracoscopic plication for diaphragmatic eventration in a neonate

BACKGROUND

Currently, thoracoscopic surgery is replacing thoracotomy for an ever increasing number of indications, even in pediatric surgery. However, there are few reports describing thoracoscopic plication (TP) for diaphragmatic eventration in children, particularly in neonates. We report a case of TP under single-lung ventilation in a neonate with diaphragmatic eventration.

CASE REPORT

A 10-day-old boy was referred for surgical management of right diaphragmatic eventration. Birth was at term, following an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery. Shortness of breath, labored respiration and chest retraction presented soon after birth, necessitating mechanical ventilation. Chest radiography and computed tomography revealed an elevated right hemidiaphragm. Attempted weaning off mechanical ventilation failed with persistence of respiratory symptoms, requiring nasal directional positive airway pressure. However, because there was no resolution of symptoms, TP was performed using a 3 port technique under single-lung ventilation on day 17 of life. The postoperative course was excellent with complete resolution of respiratory symptoms with no recurrence for 9 months.

CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, this is the youngest case of TP for diaphragmatic eventration performed under single-lung ventilation. TP is safe, effective and minimally invasive and should be considered actively for the treatment of symptomatic diaphragmatic eventration even in neonates.

Transient elevation of the ipsilateral hemidiaphragm associated with pneumonia

Seventeen children with lobar or segmental pneumonia and ispilateral elevation of the diaphragm are described. These children did not differ significantly with respect to clinical and laboratory findings from their counterparts with pneumonia but without elevation of the hemidiaphragm. The elevation was transient and resolved by the time the repeat chest x-ray was taken six to eight weeks later.

Left diaphragmatic eventration associated with ipsilateral pulmonary sequestration and intrathoracic kidney in a fetus: reviewing the prenatal diagnosis and etiopathogenesis

The prenatal diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic eventration, pulmonary extralobar sequestration and intrathoracic ectopic kidney in a single fetus is not reported yet according to the pubmed. Congenital diaphragmatic eventration is an abnormal elevation of the diaphragm. Differential diagnosis from hernia is essential for the perinatal management. Extralobar sequestrations are usually asymptomatic and detected incidentally. Intrathoracic kidney is an extremely rare congenital anomaly. Genitourinary and cardiac anomalies should be searched as common co-existing malformations. Besides prenatal ultrasound, fetal magnetic resonance imaging has a substantial support in counselling the family, planning the follow-up of the pregnancy and decision-making for the perinatal management.

Neonatal phrenic nerve injury due to traumatic delivery

AIMS

To describe the clinical course of infants recovering spontaneously from diaphragmatic paralysis due to perinatal phrenic nerve injury as well as those that underwent plication of the diaphragm.

METHODS

Between 1990 and 2006, 14 newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital in Utrecht, The Netherlands, were diagnosed with diaphragmatic paralysis due to obstetric phrenic nerve injury. The clinical and follow-up data were studied retrospectively.

RESULTS

Four infants recovered spontaneously and could be weaned from mechanical ventilation within nine days without further treatment. Plication of the diaphragm was performed in 10 infants because of failure to wean from ventilatory support or serious persistent respiratory distress. Time between birth and plication ranged from 10 to 51 days, with a median of 19 days. Satisfactory respiratory outcome was achieved in 86% of the cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The minority of infants suffering from diaphragmatic paralysis due to perinatal phrenic nerve injury recovers spontaneously. Infants who fail to wean from ventilatory support and undergo early plication have a quick recovery and can be extubated successfully within a few days.

Eventration of diaphragm with gastric volvulus: a case report

Background

Eventration of diaphragm associated with gastric volvulus is an uncommon condition.

Case presentation

We are reporting a case of a 60-year-old male having left sided total diaphragmatic eventration associated with chronic intermittent organo-axial gastric volvulus. The patient presented with progressive dyspnea and intermittent gastrointestinal symptoms. Plication of left hemidiaphragm with anterior gastropexy was performed through an abdominal approach. Postoperatively the patient's symptoms improved.

Conclusion

Symptomatic gastric volvulus associated with diaphragmatic eventration is a surgical emergency and always requires surgical repair.

Gastric volvulus in infants and children

INTRODUCTION

Gastric volvulus is an important cause of nonbilious emesis that must be recognized early to ensure a good outcome. We reviewed 7 cases from our institution, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (Egleston campus). In addition, we reviewed all gastric volvulus cases in children published to date in the English literature to draw general conclusions about the presentation and treatment of this unusual disease.

METHODS

An electronic literature search was performed to find all published cases of pediatric gastric volvulus. The care of all children from January 2002 to December 2007 who were treated for gastric volvulus was also reviewed.

RESULTS

There have been 581 cases of gastric volvulus in children published in English between 1929 and 2007. Of these, 252 were acute and 329 were chronic cases. The most common presentation of acute gastric volvulus is in a child <5 years old with nonbilious emesis, epigastric distention, and abdominal pain. Acute gastric volvulus is often associated with deformities of adjacent organs. Definitive diagnosis is made with upper gastrointestinal studies, and definitive therapy requires repair of associated defects and anterior fixation of the stomach to the abdominal wall. The most common presentation of chronic volvulus is in an infant <1 year old with emesis, epigastric distention, feeding difficulties, and growth failure. Treatment may be medical or surgical depending on the underlying etiology of the volvulus.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute gastric volvulus is a potentially life-threatening occurrence with a good outcome when treated in a timely fashion. Chronic volvulus may be more difficult to recognize. The common features of acute and chronic gastric volvulus described in this review should assist pediatric health care providers in promptly diagnosing and treating this disease.

Bilateral eventration of the diaphragm with malrotation and unilateral renal agenesis

Bilateral eventration of the diaphragm associated with malrotation of gut and unilateral renal agenesis is a very rare entity. The authors treated a seven mth old male child who presented to them with respiratory distress and gastrointestinal problem. The child was anemic and was in type II respiratory failure. His X-ray chest showed bilateral eventration of diaphragm and ultrasonography abdomen was consistent with left renal agenesis which was confirmed by radionuclide scan. Bilateral plication of the diaphragm done with correction of malrotation which was diagnosed peroperatively. The association of these three anomalies are rare and to be kept in mind whenever treating a patient with bilateral eventration of the diaphragm.

Pleural and pericardial effusion: a potential ultrasonographic marker for the prenatal differential diagnosis between congenital diaphragmatic eventration and congenital diaphragmatic hernia

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether or not the presence of pleural and/or pericardial effusion can be used prenatally as an ultrasonographic marker for the differential diagnosis between diaphragmatic eventration and diaphragmatic hernia.

METHODS

We present two case reports of non-isolated diaphragmatic eventration associated with pleural and/or pericardial effusion. Additionally, we reviewed the literature for all cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and diaphragmatic eventration that met the following criteria: (1) prenatal diagnosis of a diaphragmatic defect and (2) definitive diagnosis by autopsy or surgery. The frequencies of pleural effusion, pericardial effusion and hydrops were compared between the two conditions using Fisher's exact test. A subanalysis was conducted of cases with isolated diaphragmatic defects (i.e. diaphragmatic defects not associated with hydrops and other major structural or chromosomal anomalies).

RESULTS

A higher proportion of fetuses with diaphragmatic eventration had associated pleural and pericardial effusions compared with fetuses with diaphragmatic hernia (58% (7/12) vs. 3.7% (14/382), respectively, P < 0.001). This observation remained true when only cases of diaphragmatic defects not associated with hydrops and other major structural or chromosomal anomalies were compared (29% (2/7) with eventration vs. 2.2% (4/178) with CDH, P < 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of pleural and/or pericardial effusion in patients with diaphragmatic defects should raise the possibility of a congenital diaphragmatic eventration. This information is clinically important for management and counseling because the prognosis and treatment for CDH and congenital diaphragmatic eventration are different. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Right-sided diaphragmatic eventration: a rare cause of non-immune hydrops fetalis

We report 2 cases of non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) in which autopsy findings revealed an association with right-sided congenital diaphragmatic eventration (CDE). Both patients born at 30 weeks of gestation presented with severe generalized skin oedema, pleural effusions and ascites. They both died shortly after birth of cardiorespiratory insufficiency due to lung hypoplasia and low output heart failure. The right thoracic cavity was filled with the membranous but intact right diaphragm covering the herniated visceral organs including parts of the liver, small bowel and colon surrounded by voluminous ascites. In similar fashion to the situation seen in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), the displaced visceral organs led to impaired lung growth resulting in important lung hypoplasia and obstructed venous return. Extravascular liquid accumulation was probably further aggravated by hypoproteinaemia secondary to liver dysfunction resulting from the venous congestion and cardiac failure. In summary, CDE is a rare condition resulting from impaired ingrowth of muscle fibres into the diaphragm during the first trimester. Prenatal differentiation of CDE from CDH is a real challenge. The association of CDE and NIHF has not been previously described.

Video-assisted thoracoscopy for diaphragmatic plication: experimental study in a canine model

BACKGROUND

Plication of a nonfunctional hemidiaphragm usually restores altered ventilatory mechanics. This study compared two techniques in performing diaphragmatic plication: video-assisted thoracoscopy (group A) and thoracotomy (group B).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty dogs with induced paralysis of the right hemidiaphragm were randomly assigned to one of the two groups. Evaluations were performed before and after plication of the respiratory frequency (f) and lung area (LA) of the affected side. Operative time, time to resumption of walking, ingestion of fluids and solid food, pain intensity, and postoperative complications were measured.

RESULTS

Group A had less pain after the surgery (P < 0.0001), earlier fluid ingestion (P < 0.05), and earlier resumption of walking (P < 0.019). Four weeks after the procedure, LA was similar in both groups, while a significant decrease in f was recorded in group A (P < 0.02). The remaining evaluated variables showed no differences.

CONCLUSION

Both approaches were effective. Pain recorded in the postoperative period was less and recovery was faster in group A. Complications and surgical times were similar. The video-assisted thoracoscopy is a safe and efficient option for performing diaphragmatic plication in dogs.

Eventration of the diaphragm

OBJECTIVE

Eventration of the diaphragm (ED) is defined as the abnormal elevation of the diaphragm. Although asymptomatic ED may be amenable to conservative treatment, symptomatic ED in children, either congenital or acquired, may require surgical treatment. This study evaluated the results of diaphragmatic plication in children with unilateral ED.

METHODS

Fifteen patients who had undergone diaphragmatic plication for ED between 1997 and 2003 were evaluated retrospectively. The diagnosis of ED was established by routine chest radiographs and fluoroscopy. Patients who failed to respond to nonoperative treatment were referred for surgery. Nine patients underwent diaphragmatic fluoroscopy 1-5 years following plication to assess function.

RESULTS

Indications for diaphragmatic plication were respiratory symptoms such as tachypnoea, dyspnoea, recurrent pneumonia and failure to thrive. In 14 patients, the position of the diaphragm was normal after plication, but the diaphragm was elevated without symptoms in one patient during postoperative follow-up. The motion of the diaphragm was investigated in nine patients. Fluoroscopic studies showed that the operated hemidiaphragm was immobile and there was no paradoxical motion. No return of symptoms was found during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

ED is the abnormal elevation of the diaphragm as a result of paralysis or aplasia of the muscular fibres. The abnormally elevated diaphragm may compress the ipsilateral lung, and with respiratory effort the mediastinum may shift towards the normal side. Therefore, diaphragmatic plication is performed to restore normal pulmonary parenchymal volume by replacing the diaphragm in its normal location. After plication, there was immediate remission of symptoms in most patients and decreasing symptoms were observed for a year in others. During follow-up, the location of the diaphragm was normal and no paradoxical movement was observed. Relapse of symptoms was not noted in patients with immobile diaphragms.

Thoracoscopic diaphragmatic procedures under artificial pneumothorax

Diaphragmatic plication is technically simple using a conventional operative technique, but it requires a large skin incision and rib injury. We present an alternative technique for thoracoscopic plication of the diaphragm and evaluate the advantages of the procedure. Six patients (five with diaphragmatic eventration and one with diaphragmatic hernia with a sac) ranging in age from 8 to 20 months were treated by this method. Three of the six cases were right-sided, and three were left-sided. The operation was performed under artificial pneumothorax using carbon dioxide gas at 4 mmHg. Three trocars for laparoscopy were inserted at the 4th and 5th intercostal spaces. An adequate operative view was obtained by pressing the diaphragm throughout the operation. The eventrated diaphragm was plicated with several rows of nonabsorbable sutures in the anterolateral-to-posterolateral direction to prevent injury to the main phrenic nerve. A tight diaphragm was confirmed by decompressing the artificial pneumothorax. The technique was successfully performed in all cases, and the patients' postoperative courses were uneventful. During the operation, the hemodynamic effects of carbon dioxide gas at 4 mmHg were minimal. Over a mean follow-up period of 3.1 years (range, 1-6 years), no recurrence of diaphragmatic eventration was seen. Judging from the satisfactory postoperative course, this procedure is suitable for children with all forms of diaphragmatic eventration.

Congenital eventration of the diaphragm in children: 25 years' experience in three pediatric surgery centers

Eventration of the diaphragm is generally defined as an abnormal elevation of all or a portion of an attenuated but otherwise intact diaphragmatic leaf. Previous studies have indicated that eventration is a relatively rare condition, which can be symptomatic and requires surgery. We aimed to evaluate our patients with diaphragmatic eventration, and to discuss their characteristics in the light of the relevant literature. We retrospectively analyzed age, sex, incidence, location of the eventration, symptoms, associated anomalies, surgical technique, complications and survival in our patients. Between 1974 and 1999, 33 patients were treated in the Pediatric Surgery Departments of Ege University, SSK Children's Hospital and Behçet Uz Children's Hospital, 18 of them boys and 15 girls. The ages of our patients ranged from three days to 12 years. All of the patients had at least one of the respiratory symptoms such as cough, respiratory distress and fever; 3 newborns were admitted with severe respiratory distress while children belonging to higher age groups had symptoms of acute or recurrent pulmonary infections and failure to thrive. The eventration was right-sided in 22, 11 eventrations were left-sided. Diagnosis was performed with the help of a number of radiological studies such as fluoroscopic investigation, contrast study of the upper gastrointestinal system, direct X-ray graphies of the thorax, CT scan and ultrasonography, as necessary. Surgery was performed via thoracotomy in 20 patients and the 12 other patients underwent laparotomy for plication. One patient underwent thoracoabdominal plication. Two patients died because of cardio-respiratory complications in the early postoperative period and the rest of them survived to annual follow-ups. In conclusion, diaphragmatic eventration is an important condition which can eventually be mortal. Early diagnosis is necessary and plication is the treatment of choice.

Combination of diaphragmatic eventration and microphthalmia/anophthalmia is probably nonrandom

Two sporadic cases of eventration of the diaphragm are reported; one had bilateral colobomatous microphthalmia and the other had anophthalmia. Absence of polydactyly and presence of eventration rather than diaphragmatic hernia helped to exclude Fryns syndrome. These cases together with published cases with overlapping features support the thesis that this combination of defects is nonrandom and of heterogeneous cause. Some cases are due to a pleiotropic gene defect. In other cases, a polytypic developmental field involving an unknown developmental cascade common to the eye and diaphragm may provide a basis for the combination.

Bilateral eventration of the diaphragm with perforated gastric volvulus in an adolescent

Bilateral congenital eventration of the diaphragm almost uniformly presents in infancy with respiratory compromise and is associated with a high mortality rate. Delayed presentation of diaphragmatic eventration in older children and adults may be associated with acute gastric volvulus. Thus, any patient with abdominal pain, vomiting, or nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms in association with abnormal diaphragmatic findings on chest x-ray should undergo further diagnostic workup with upper gastrointestinal series or computed tomography (CT) scan. Treatment of gastric volvulus requires immediate surgical repair to prevent subsequent necrosis and perforation. The authors describe a case report of bilateral congenital diaphragmatic eventration complicated by a perforated gastric volvulus in a 13-year-old boy. Emergent reduction of the volvulus, closure of the perforated stomach, plication of the diaphragm, and placement of gastrostomy was performed successfully.

Diaphragmatic plication in the extremely low birth weight infant

A case of acquired diaphragmatic paralysis in an extremely low birth weight infant complicated by respiratory failure, recurrent atelectasis, and pneumonia is described. Diaphragmatic plication led to a rapid improvement in pulmonary function and allowed for discontinuation of mechanical ventilation in less than 1 week. Therapeutic options for acquired diaphragmatic paralysis, including the rationale for early operative intervention, in this patient population are discussed.

Diaphragmatic eventration in infants and children: is conservative treatment justified?

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to examine the justification of diaphragmatic plication to treat diaphragmatic eventration. A retrospective review of 50 patients who underwent diaphragmatic plication for phrenic nerve injury (PNI) or congenital muscular deficiency (CMD) of the diaphragm was conducted.

METHODS

During the last 26 years, 50 patients, aged 4 days to 7 years, were surgically treated for diaphragmatic eventration. Twenty-five patients had iatrogenic PNI and another 25 had CMD. Respiratory distress developed in all patients who had PNI and 10 required mechanical ventilatory support for 13 to 78 days (mean, 41 days) before operation. Respiratory symptoms developed in 17 of 25 patients who had CMD, and four required ventilatory support. In those who were asymptomatic, we justified surgical repair to optimize future lung growth. All patients underwent diaphragmatic plication by a thoracic approach. Reefing mattress sutures on pledgets were used for the plication.

RESULTS

In patients who had PNI, ventilatory support could be discontinued within 0 to 6 days (mean, 3 days) after operation, with a dramatic improvement in their respiratory status. Two patients required reoperation because the plication was not tight enough. Seven patients died in this series, but none because of the diaphragmatic plication.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that symptomatic patients who have diaphragmatic eventration should be operated on immediately with an expected dramatic resolution of their respiratory problems.

A case of unilateral diaphragmatic eventration treated by plication with thoracoscopic surgery

A 56-year-old woman underwent plication with U-stitches by thoracoscopic surgery for left diaphragmatic eventration. Marked improvement in left lung expansion, normalization of the position of the left diaphragm on chest radiograph, and improvement of pulmonary function and dyspnea on exertion have been maintained for 2 years. Plication for diaphragmatic eventration should be performed with minimally invasive surgery.

Incidence of Klumpke's birth palsy: Comparison between two decades

In a previous paper, the incidence of Klumpke's palsy as cited in the English literature over the last decade (1984 to 1994) was found to be 0.6%. However, during the last decade, there have been consistent increases of cesarean section rates. Therefore, it was unknown if this modern obstetric practice affected the incidence of Klumpke's palsy. This review demonstrates that Klumpke's palsy was equally rare (0.7% of birth palsies) in the previous decade (1973 to 1983). It is also shown that 16 out of the 26 cases of Kumpke's palsy reported in the literature over the last two decades were reported from one centre. It is concluded that the incidence of this rare type of birth palsy has not changed with modern obstetric practice and that this palsy is related to vaginal breech deliveries with hyperabduction of the arms.

Congenital eventration of the diaphragm - 45 years' perspective

Fifty-five children with congenital eventration of the diaphragm were operated upon in a single tertiary-care children's hospital during the 45-year period from 1948 to 1992. The study was divided into three periods: 1948-1962, 1963-1977, 1978-1992. There were 14 patients in the first group, 26 in the second, and 15 in the third. Children later in the series presented earlier and with more acute symptoms. Mortality was related to severe pulmonary hypoplasia and associated anomalies, especially chromosomal defects: 14% during the first period, 27% during the second, and 7% during the third.

The long-term results of diaphragmatic plication

Twelve patients who had undergone diaphragmatic plication with the diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic eventration between 1975 to 1989 were evaluated for the long-term results of plication. Assessment of the long-term functions of the plicated diaphragms 1.5 to 11 years postoperatively was achieved by fluoroscopic, ultrasonographic, and spirometric studies. The absence of paradoxical motion with normal localization of the diaphragms in all patients, and satisfactory motions of diaphragms in 9 patients were documented by fluoroscopy. Measurements of diaphragmatic thicknesses showed that plicated diaphragms of all patients maintained their growths in proportion to the contralateral sides. Additionally, normal values of pulmonary function tests in five of six patients of suitable age for spirometry were obtained. All the clinical studies demonstrated that diaphragmatic plication did not interfere with further development of diaphragms, and late functional results of the plication were acceptable. This supports the choice of surgery in the treatment of diaphragmatic eventration.

CT in complete congenital eventration of diaphragm with aplasia of lung

Complete eventration of the diaphragm and pulmonary aplasia, though rare anomalies, should be considered in new-borns with respiratory distress. Such anomalous conditions occurring either alone or in combination elude diagnosis and pose problems for management. CT is a very effective, non invasive means of diagnosis which in the past depended largely on invasive procedures such as bronchography, angiography and thoracotomy.

Long-term fate of the diaphragm surgically plicated during infancy and early childhood

Favorable early results have been reported utilizing transthoracic diaphragmatic plication in symptomatic children with phrenic nerve injury. However, little has been published about the late functional results of this technique. Since 1976, 10 of 3,000 patients operated on for congenital heart disease have sustained phrenic nerve injury with subsequent respiratory embarrassment. An additional patient sustained phrenic nerve injury as a result of birth trauma. The diagnosis was confirmed by paradoxical diaphragmatic motion on fluoroscopy. All but 2 patients were less than 5 months old at the time of diaphragmatic plication, and the average weight was 5.4 kg. The indication for diaphragmatic plication was inability to wean from the ventilator in 8 of the 11 patients and persistent postoperative tachypnea, stridor, and CO2 retention in the remaining 3 patients. A more aggressive approach to diagnosis and operative treatment since 1980 has resulted in a substantially shorter duration of endotracheal intubation and a shorter stay in the intensive care unit. Diaphragmatic fluoroscopy 1 to 7 years postoperatively has demonstrated return of normal function in 6 of 6 patients studied.

Bilateral congenital eventration of the diaphragms: successful surgical management

Bilateral congenital eventration of the diaphragms is a relatively rare occurrence, associated with an almost uniform mortality. We recently have had experience with three patients who underwent successful treatment of this anomaly. Each patient presented as a newborn with severe respiratory insufficiency. One had had a sibling who died shortly after birth with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. One infant had associated respiratory distress syndrome. PA and lateral chest roentgenograms demonstrated the anomaly in each patient. In two, the use of ultrasound clearly demonstrated the presence of attenuated diaphragms and paradoxical motion. Each infant underwent transabdominal bilateral diaphragmatic plication, reinforced with transversus abdominis muscle, within the first 2 weeks of life. Two infants showed prompt improvement in arterial blood gases and were extubated following the operation. The infant with respiratory distress syndrome required a tracheostomy for continued mechanical ventilation. This infant developed a recurrent eventration of the left diaphragm 6 months after the initial operation and has undergone a secondary plication with clinical improvement. Unlike unilateral eventration, bilateral eventration of the diaphragms is associated with persistent and significant respiratory symptoms. Surgical plication should be performed urgently in all of these patients, before chronic pulmonary changes occur.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia continues to be a critical problem in neonatal surgery. Despite the apparent simplicity of the anatomic defect, the physiology is complex, and survival remains uncertain. Surgical success has been achieved, but we recognize that the barrier to survival is pulmonary parenchymal and vascular hypoplasia as well as the complex syndrome of persistent fetal circulation. In many ways the problem of diaphragmatic hernia is as much of an enigma to today's physician-scientist as it was to Bochdalek in the nineteenth century. The treatment of respiratory distress after repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia has brought out the most creative and innovative efforts of pediatric surgeons in both the laboratory and the intensive care unit.

Phrenic nerve injury complicating closed cardiovascular surgical procedures for congenital heart disease

Phrenic nerve injury (PNI) with resulting hemidiaphragmatic paralysis occurred in 19 (2.1 +/- 0.5%) of 891 closed cardiac surgical procedures during a twenty-three-year period. Diagnosis was confirmed by standard radiographic criteria. Phrenic nerve injury was most commonly noted following systemic-pulmonary artery anastomosis, ligation of persistent ductus arteriosus plus pulmonary artery banding, and atrial septectomy. Most patients were managed conservatively (nasotracheal or orotracheal intubation and positive end-expiratory pressure). Although no deaths were a direct result of PNI, major complications occurred in 15 of the 19 instances of PNI (79% +/- 10%). The serious morbidity and the hospital costs associated with this complication, however, underscore the cardinal importance of prevention. If injury does occur, early surgical intervention (diaphragmatic plication) in very young infants may reduce the attendant morbidity, but the complete role of diaphragmatic plication remains to be defined.

Diaphragmatic paralysis managed by diaphragmatic replacement

A neonate had paralysis of the right hemidiaphragm secondary to brachial plexus birth trauma. Conventional diaphragmatic plication, performed on two separate occasions, failed to correct the ventilatory impairment, and mechanical ventilatory dependence persisted. Ventilatory insufficiency was subsequently corrected by total replacement of the right hemidiaphragm with Marlex mesh. This procedure ablated paradoxical motion of the right hemidiaphragm and arrested detrimental shifts of the mobile infantile mediastinum. The good result was immediate and long-lasting; there was no major prosthesis-related growth deformity 31/2 years later. Prosthetic fixation of the paralyzed diaphragm is not indicated as a primary procedure, but should be reserved for the occasional patient in whom conventional plication has failed.

Aggressive treatment of acquired phrenic nerve paralysis in infants and small children

Transthoracic diaphragmatic plication is a simple and effective means of treatment for phrenic nerve injury and resultant diaphragmatic paralysis, and should be undertaken as soon as the diagnosis of diaphragmatic paralysis is established in a child with substantial respiratory difficulty. Seven of more than 1,500 patients sustained phrenic nerve injury during operation for congenital heart disease at our institution over the past five years. All but 1 patient were less than 5 months old, and the average weight was 3.8 kg. Five of the 7 could not be weaned from the ventilator, and the other 2 had persistent postoperative tachypnea and stridor. Before 1980, 3 patients were intubated for an average of 16 days prior to diagnosis by fluoroscopy. Since then, 4 patients have been intubated for an average of 7.8 days before diagnosis. All 7 underwent transthoracic diaphragmatic plication and were extubated by 6 days after operation (mean, 3.7 days). Six patients survived and are doing well. The 1 death occurred in 1976 in a premature infant with multiple congenital cardiac lesions; diagnosis was delayed until the twenty-eighth day after intubation and transthoracic diaphragmatic plication, until the sixty-second day. This infant died of pneumonia one month after extubation. These data support our policy of establishing an early diagnosis of phrenic nerve injury and early treatment utilizing transthoracic diaphragmatic plication in symptomatic children.