Flap repair in congenital diaphragmatic hernia leads to lower rates of recurrence.

BACKGROUND

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) repair is technically challenging with different approaches for repair. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes between patch and flap repair.

METHODS

CDH repairs performed at a quaternary care children's hospital between 2008 and 2018 were reviewed. Seventy CDH repairs were analyzed after primary repairs were excluded (n = 52). Analysis included proportions or median with interquartile range and chi-square or Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

RESULTS

Comparing patch and flap repairs, demographic characteristics and hernia parameters were similar. Examining outcomes, length of stay, 30-day mortality, and 1-year mortality were all similar between groups, but total/symptomatic recurrence was higher in the patch group (10%/7% vs. 3%/0%), and the median time to recurrence was 3 months. A sub-analysis comparing those who recurred to those who did not demonstrated no significant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Patients who undergo flap repair have a lower risk of recurrence compared to those who undergo patch repair, and this may be due to the ability of the flap to grow over time with the child.

TYPE OF STUDY: Treatment Study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.