Background: We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the fetoscopic tracheal occlusion in patients with isolated severe and left-sided diaphragmatic hernia. Methods: Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed (Medline) databases were searched from inception to February 2024 with no filters or language restrictions. We included studies evaluating the outcomes of fetoscopic intervention compared to expectant management among patients with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia exclusively on the left side. A random-effects pairwise meta-analysis was performed using RStudio version 4.3.1. Results: In this study, we included 540 patients from three randomized trials and five cohorts. We found an increased likelihood of neonatal survival associated with fetoscopic tracheal occlusion (Odds Ratio, 5.07; 95% Confidence Intervals, 1.91 to 13.44; p < 0.01) across general and subgroup analyses. Nevertheless, there were higher rates of preterm birth (OR, 5.62; 95% CI, 3.47-9.11; p < 0.01) and preterm premature rupture of membranes (OR, 7.13; 95% CI, 3.76-13.54; p < 0.01) in fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion group compared to the expectant management. Conclusions: Our systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated the benefit of fetoscopic tracheal occlusion in improving neonatal and six-month postnatal survival in fetuses with severe left-sided CDH. Further studies are still necessary to evaluate the efficacy of tracheal occlusion for isolated right-sided CDH, as well as the optimal timing to perform the intervention.

UNASSIGNED: Closure of congenital body wall defects in children can be a challenging task for the pediatric Surgeon. Biological prosthesis has been increasingly used for high-risk wound closure in adult patients with excellent outcomes and use in the pediatric population has also been reported. Here, we aim to study the outcome of abdominal wound repair with a tissue-engineered acellular bovine pericardial patch.
UNASSIGNED: Over a period of 21 months, a total of 15 children had undergone abdominal wound repair with bioprostheses, i.e., bovine pericardial patch at our institute. Patient demographics, cause of defect, an indication of patch use, rate of infection, postoperative recovery, recurrence, and outcome were studied.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 15 patients underwent abdominal wall closure with acellular bovine pericardial patch. Nine out of 15 patients were neonates, of whom five had gastroschisis, two had a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and two had ruptured omphalocele major. Of the rest 6 patients, 2 were patients of bladder exstrophy, 2 were older children of congenital diaphragmatic hernia with incisional hernias, and 2 were older children with omphalocele major. Out of the five patients with gastroschisis, two died during the early postoperative period due to sepsis. The wound healed in the rest 13 patients with mild skin dehiscence in two patients. Only one child had a recurrence.
UNASSIGNED: Reconstruction with acellular bovine pericardial patch is a viable option in children with high-risk abdominal wounds as it allows tensionless repair with excellent healing and minimal complications. Recurrence, if any, may disappear with time as remodeling of the prosthesis occurs along with the growth of the body wall of the child.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review focused on reasons for conversions in neonates undergoing thoracoscopic congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) repair.
METHODS: Systematic search of Medline/Pubmed and Embase was performed for English, Spanish and Portuguese reports, according to PRISMA guidelines.
RESULTS: Of the 153 articles identified (2003-2023), 28 met the inclusion criteria and offered 698 neonates for analysis. Mean birth weight and gestational age were 3109 g and 38.3 weeks, respectively, and neonates were operated at a mean age of 6.12 days. There were 278 males (61.50%; 278/452) and 174 females (38.50%; 174/452). The reasons for the 137 conversions (19.63%) were: (a) defect size (n = 22), (b) need for patch (n = 21); (c) difficulty in reducing organs (n = 14), (d) ventilation issues (n = 10), (e) bleeding, organ injury, cardiovascular instability (n = 3 each), (f) bowel ischemia and defect position (n = 2 each), hepatopulmonary fusion (n = 1), and (g) reason was not specified for n = 56 neonates (40.8%). The repair was primary in 322 neonates (63.1%; 322/510) and patch was used in 188 neonates (36.86%; 188/510). There were 80 recurrences (12.16%; 80/658) and 14 deaths (2.48%; 14/565). Mean LOS and follow-up were 20.17 days and 19.28 months, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal thoracoscopic repair for CDH is associated with conversion in 20% of cases. Based on available data, defect size and patch repairs have been identified as the predominant reasons, followed by technical difficulties to reduce the herniated organs and ventilation related issues. However, data specifically relating to conversion is poorly documented in a high number of reports (40%). Accurate data reporting in future will be important to better estimate and quantify reasons for conversions in neonatal thoracoscopy for CDH.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) represents a developmental anomaly that profoundly impacts the embryonic development of both the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Understanding the influences of developmental defects, their origins, and clinical consequences is of paramount importance for further research and the advancement of therapeutic strategies for this condition. In recent years, groundbreaking studies in the fields of metabolomics and genomics have significantly expanded our knowledge regarding the pathogenic mechanisms of CDH. These investigations introduce novel diagnostic and therapeutic avenues. CDH implies a scarcity of available information within this domain. Consequently, a comprehensive literature review has been undertaken to synthesize existing data, providing invaluable insights into this rare disease. Improved comprehension of the molecular underpinnings of CDH has the potential to refine diagnostic precision and therapeutic interventions, thus potentially enhancing clinical outcomes for CDH patients. The identification of potential biomarkers assumes paramount significance for early disease detection and risk assessment in CDH, facilitating prompt recognition and the implementation of appropriate interventions. The process of translating research findings into clinical practice is significantly facilitated by an exhaustive literature review. It serves as a pivotal step, enabling the integration of novel, more effective diagnostic and therapeutic modalities into the management of CDH patients.

UNASSIGNED: Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) is a severe congenital anomaly with significant morbidity and mortality. It can be isolated or can be associated with other congenital anomalies, including broncho-pulmonary sequestration (BPS). The association of CDH with BPS (CDH+BPS) is uncommon but has been previously reported, and it can complicate the course of the disease in patients with CDH. We report two cases of CDH+BPS that were recently treated at our CDH-Qatar (CDH-Q) program.
UNASSIGNED: We reviewed CDH-Q program registry to search for CDH+BPS and extracted the data for the identified cases. We also reviewed the previously published literature available on PubMed for similar cases.
UNASSIGNED: Out of 53 cases of CDH referred to CDH-Q from January 2018 to December 2022, two cases of CDH+BPS were identified, with an estimated prevalence of 3.8% of this association in our CDH population. Both cases were born at term. Case 1 was diagnosed with CDH+BPS postnatally, while case 2 was diagnosed with CDH antenatally but BPS was diagnosed after birth. Both cases underwent a surgical repair of the CDH with resection of the associated BPS, and the histopathology of the resected lung tissue confirmed the presence of BPS in both. Both cases survived to discharge.
UNASSIGNED: The association of CDH+BPS is uncommon; however, it can have significant consequences on the management and the prognosis of patients with CDH. Reporting these cases is important to provide a better understanding of this association and its impact on CDH patients.

BACKGROUND: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a developmental defect that causes herniation of abdominal organs into the thoracic cavity with significant morbidity. Thoracoscopic repair of CDH is an increasingly prevalent yet controversial surgical technique, with limited long-term outcome data in the Asian region. The aim of this study was to compare open laparotomy versus thoracoscopic repair of CDH in paediatric patients in a major tertiary referral centre in Asia.
METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of neonatal patients who had open laparotomy or thoracoscopic repair for CDH in our institution between July 2002 and November 2021. Demographic data, perioperative parameters, recurrence rates and surgical complications were analysed.
RESULTS: 64 patients were identified, with 54 left sided CDH cases. 33 patients had a prenatal diagnosis and 35 patients received minimally invasive surgical repair. There was no significant difference between open and minimally invasive repair in recurrence rate (13 % vs 17 %, P = 0.713), time to recurrence (184 ± 449 days vs 81 ± 383 days, P = 0.502), or median length of ICU stay (11 ± 14 days vs 13 ± 15 days, P = 0.343), respectively. Gastrointestinal complications occurred in 7 % of neonates in the open group and none in the thoracoscopic group. Median follow-up time was 9.5 years.
CONCLUSIONS: This study is a large congenital diaphragmatic hernia series in Asia, with long term follow-up demonstrating no significant difference in recurrence rate, time to recurrence or median length of ICU stay between open and minimally invasive repair, suggesting thoracoscopic approach is a non-inferior surgical option with avoidance of gastrointestinal complications compared to open repair.
METHODS:
METHODS: Retrospective Cohort Study.

To report a case of prenatal diagnosis of ectopic intrathoracic kidney with diaphragmatic hernia managed surgically after birth, and to conduct a review of the literature on prenatal diagnosis of ectopic intrathoracic kidney and perinatal prognosis.
We report the case of a 28-week fetus in which, on ultrasound imaging, a mass was observed displacing the heart and lung in the right hemithorax, which was was confirmed by magnetic resonance (MR) to be an ectopic intrathoracic kidney (ITEK). After birth, the neonate was approached by laparoscopy to place a mesh in continuity with the diaphragm, leaving the kidney in the abdomen, with good evolution. A search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases for cohorts, case reports and case series of prenatal diagnosis of intrathoracic kidney in the fetus. Information was retrieved regarding design, population, imaging diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
The search identified 8 studies that met the inclusion criteria, reporting a total of 8 cases. Ultrasound diagnosis showed ectopic intrathoracic kidney associated with diaphragmatic hernia in all the subjects. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was also used in 5 cases.
Ectopic intrathoracic kidney is a congenital abnormality amenable to prenatal diagnosis. Survival after corrective surgery performed in the neonatal period is common. There is a paucity of publications, limited to case reports, regarding the prenatal diagnosis of this condition.
reportar un caso de diagnóstico prenatal de riñón ectópico intratorácico (REI) con hernia diafragmática y manejo quirúrgico neonatal, y hacer una revisión de la literatura sobre diagnóstico prenatal de REI y el pronóstico perinatal.
se reporta el caso de un feto de 28 semanas en el que se observó imagen ecográfica sugestiva de masa en hemitórax derecho que desplazaba corazón y pulmón; se confirmó que correspondía a un riñón intratorácico. Por laparoscopia, al recién nacido se le colocó una malla en continuidad con el diafragma dejando el riñón en el abdomen, con buena evolución. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en PubMed, Embase y Cochrane. Se buscaron cohortes, reportes y series de caso de gestaciones con diagnóstico prenatal de riñón intratorácico fetal. Se extrajo información del diseño, la población, el diagnóstico por imágenes, el tratamiento y el pronóstico.
en la búsqueda se identificaron 8 estudios que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión y que informan en total ocho casos. El diagnóstico ecográfico mostró REI asociado a hernia diafragmática en todos los sujetos. Se utilizó también la RM fetal en cinco casos. Seis neonatos sobrevivieron sin complicaciones, en uno hubo interrupción voluntaria del embarazo, y otro presentó sepsis y dificultad respiratoria, finalmente fue dado de alta en buenas condiciones.
el REI es una anomalía congénita susceptible de diagnóstico prenatal. La sobrevida a la cirugía correctora en el periodo neonatal es frecuente. La literatura disponible en torno al diagnóstico prenatal de REI es escasa y se limita a reportes de casos.

BACKGROUND: A congenital intrathoracic kidney (ITK) is a rare anomaly that is recognized to have four causes: renal ectopia with an intact diaphragm, diaphragmatic eventration, diaphragmatic hernia, and traumatic diaphragmatic rupture. We report a case of a prenatal-diagnosed ITK related to a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and conducted a systematic review of all cases of the prenatal diagnosis of this association.
METHODS: A fetal ultrasound scan at 22 gestational weeks showed left CDH and ITK, hyperechoic left lung parenchyma, and mediastinal shift. The fetal echocardiography and karyotype were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging at 30 gestational weeks confirmed the ultrasound suspicion of left CDH in association with bowel and left kidney herniation. The fetal growth, amniotic fluid, and Doppler indices remained within the normal range over time. The woman delivered the newborn via an at-term spontaneous vaginal delivery. The newborn was stabilized and underwent non-urgent surgical correction; the postoperative course was uneventful.
CONCLUSIONS: CDH is the rarest cause of ITK; we found only eleven cases describing this association. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 29 ± 4 weeks and 4 days. There were seven cases of right and four cases of left CDH. There were associated anomalies in only three fetuses. All women delivered live babies, the herniated kidneys showed no functional damage after their surgical correction, and the prognosis was favorable after surgical repair. The prenatal diagnosis and counseling of this condition are important in planning adequate prenatal and postnatal management in order to improve neonatal outcomes.

It is debated whether fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) is beneficial to fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and whether FETO has different effects in moderate and severe CDH. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis including the latest evidence to assess the overall effects of FETO on clinical outcomes of CDH.
We searched PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal Database and Wanfang Database to retrieve eligible studies published before 8 September 2022. No language or study design restrictions were applied. Studies were included if CDH fetuses underwent FETO surgery and were compared with a cohort that underwent expectant management, with at least one outcome reported. The primary outcomes were mortality at 1, 6 and 12 months after birth, rates of pulmonary hypertension, use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and prematurity. Meta-analysis was conducted to obtain pooled odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences. The quality of included studies and pooled evidence was also assessed.
A total of 1187 CDH fetuses from 20 studies were included in the quantitative synthesis. FETO significantly reduced 1-month (OR, 0.56 (95% CI, 0.34-0.93); P = 0.02, number needed to treat (NNT) = 7.67) and 6-month (OR, 0.34 (95% CI, 0.18-0.65); P = 0.0009, NNT = 5.26) CDH mortality (moderate/low quality of evidence). Subgroup analysis suggested that the effects of FETO on the rates of pulmonary hypertension and ECMO usage were significant in severe CDH (low/moderate quality of evidence) but not in moderate CDH (low/very low quality of evidence). FETO was also associated with an increased risk of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes before 37 weeks\' gestation (OR, 4.94 (95% CI, 2.25-10.88); P < 0.0001, number needed to harm (NNH) = 3.13) and preterm birth before 37 weeks (OR, 5.24 (95% CI, 3.33-8.23); P < 0.00001, NNH = 2.79) (high/moderate quality of evidence). However, FETO was not associated with severe complications, such as preterm birth before 32 weeks, placental abruption or chorioamnionitis (very low/low quality of evidence).
FETO is associated with a reduction in mortality, rate of pulmonary hypertension and ECMO usage in severe CDH, while it reduces only the risk of mortality in moderate CDH. Although FETO increases the risk of late prematurity, it does not result in extreme prematurity. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Introduction: Surgical intervention is the definitive management for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) repair from 1902. Since this time, two mainstay approaches have been used, open and minimally invasive surgical (MIS) repair. An invasive laparotomy is used in around 91% of cases. So, this systematic review of the published literature will compare the surgical outcomes of open (CDH) repair vs MIS for CDH repair and will determine which approach is superior. Material and Methods: Our literature search across MEDLINE and EMBASE included articles from 2004 to 2022, incorporating pediatric CDH repairs, human subjects only, and English language articles. Primary outcomes analyzed were rate of recurrence, length of surgery, length of hospital stay, use of diaphragmatic patch, mortality, postoperative chylothorax, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use postoperatively. Results: After application of exclusion criteria, 32 articles were reviewed. Comparison of MIS repair versus open repair had a rate of recurrence at 8.6% versus 1.6% (P < .00001). Length of hospital stay was 19.6 days versus 33.6 days (P = .0012), mortality rate at 4.6% versus 16.6% (P < .0001), patch repair required in 19.6% versus 55.4% (P = < .00001), and postoperative ECMO use of 3.7% versus 12.3% (P < .00001), respectively. Conclusion: MIS repair is associated with decreased length of hospital stay, reduced mortality rate, and postoperative ECMO usage. Hernia recurrence is still high among MIS repair groups compared to the open repair groups. Large, multicentered randomized control trials are recommended for further analysis to decipher the true superior surgical intervention.