Beyond feasibility: a comparison of newborns undergoing thoracoscopic and open repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernias

Background Although both laparoscopic and thoracoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) have been described in the literature, neither appropriate selection criteria nor improved outcomes for minimally invasive repair over open repair have been clearly delineated. Methods We reviewed our experience with neonatal CDH repair between 2004 and 2007 to determine clinical parameters that are associated with successful thoracoscopic CDH repair. We compared these patients to a similarly matched cohort of patients who had undergone an open neonatal CDH repair between 1999 and 2003. Results From 2004 to 2007, 20 (61%) of 33 patients underwent successful neonatal thoracoscopic CDH repair. Characteristics common to all patients who underwent successful thoracoscopic repair included absence of congenital heart defects, no need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, ventilatory peak inspiratory pressure of less than 26 cmH 2 O, and oxygenation index less than 5 on the day of planned surgery. From 1999 to 2003, 40 patients underwent an open neonatal CDH repair, of which 18 (45%) patients would have matched our selection criteria for thoracoscopic repair. These 2 cohorts were similar in age, estimated gestational age, weight, APGAR scores, and oxygenation index at the time of surgery. The thoracoscopic cohort had statistically and clinically significant quicker return to full enteral feeds, had shorter duration on the ventilator postoperatively, and required less narcotic/sedation postoperatively. Less severe complications occurred in the thoracoscopic cohort. Adjusted total hospital charges were less for the thoracoscopic repair. Conclusions Successful thoracoscopic CDH repair can be expected in newborns, which has limited respiratory compromise. Thoracoscopic CDH repair is associated with lower morbidity and quicker recovery than traditional open repair and without increased risk of recurrence or complications.