[Acute complications of hernias caused by congenital defects of the diaphragm].

Following a classification of the various types of congenital hernia of the diaphragm, the acute complications that may be caused by such defects of diaphragmatic morphogenesis are reviewed. Relative physiopathology is considered, particularly as regards the thoracic dimension of large hernias of the cupola. As regards visceral hernia, the most typical pictures of the two commonest complications, volvulus and strangulation, are described among other aspects. The clinical situation is outlined bearing in mind the diversity of anatomoclinical pictures in relation to the age of the patient, the type of hernia involved, and the period in which the observation was made. The surgical problems involved in acute complications concern the approach--although agreement is almost unanimous depending on the type of hernia--viscous reduction modalities and the type of plastic surgery which is required on each occasion. Postoperative complications and the prognosis for these hernias are reviewed briefly.