High-frequency oscillation for persistent fetal circulation after repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

A female neonate who had been diagnosed as having congenital diaphragmatic hernia by ultrasonography was delivered by cesarean section. After the hernia was repaired, she developed hypoxemia and hypercapnia, probably due to persistent fetal circulation (PFC). Neither conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) nor manual ventilation improved the respiratory status. High-frequency oscillation (HFO) successfully improved pulmonary gas exchange, but we failed to wean the patient from HFO by using intermittent HFO. The patient was again placed on CMV for weaning and was extubated on the 12th ICU day. We conclude that HFO can be an alternative respiratory modality in patients with respiratory failure due to PFC after the repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia.