Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: retrospective study of 123 cases

Background. - During the last ten years, new therapeutic strategies have be en used in order to improve the management of congenital diaphragmatic hern ia (CDH). CDH is associated with pulmonary hypoplasia, abnormal pulmonary v ascular reactivity and pulmonary immaturity Between 1985 and 1990, mechanic al hyperventilation and early surgery were provided systematically. Since 1 991, the management of CDH in our institution has involved a preoperative s tabilization with exogenous surfactant replacement, gentle ventilation, hig h-frequency oscillation, nitric oxide or extracorporeal membrane oxygenatio n. Purpose. - To analyse the impact of the new therapeutic strategy on the sur vival and outcome of newborns with CDH. Methods. - Retrospective review of all infants with CDH admitted to our ins titution from 1985 through 1996. Mortality and morbidity were compared betw een period 1 (1985-1990) and period II (1991-1996). Results. - Between 1985 and 1996, 123 neonates were admitted to our Neonata l Department Nine of them had another severe congenital malformation and we re excluded from the study. Survival was 23% (12/52) in period I and 56% (3 5/62) in period II (p < 0.001). In period II, complications were more frequ ent among survivors in whom an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was requ ired (13 infants): bronchopulmonary dysplasia 77% (10/13), gastroesophageal reflux 61% (8/13), and hypotrophy 61% (8/13). Conclusion. - These data demonstrate a significant improvement in survival in CDH since the implementation of new therapeutic modalities. Nevertheless , a significant morbidity exists among the infants who survive a severe res piratory failure. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS .