Study of Thoracoscopic Repair of Diaphragmatic Eventration in Children: A Case Series.

Background

To present a case series of children with eventration of diaphragm who underwent thoracoscopic repair highlighting the technical points and surgical modifications to prevent a recurrence. Settings and

Design

This is an observational study of patients with diaphragmatic eventration admitted to a tertiary care institute. The study was designed following CARE guidelines endorsed by EQUATOR Network. Pediatric patients who had undergone thoracoscopic repair between January 2010 and March 2019 were included in the study. Materials and

Methods

Age at surgery, gender, weight, site of the lesion, operating time, need for postoperative drain, and complications were assessed.

Results

Twenty-six patients had thoracoscopic repair of the eventration of diaphragm. The male-female ratio was 12:1 and mean weight at the time of surgery was 6.3 kg (2.2-22 kg) with most patients having left side congenital diaphragmatic eventration (n = 21) as compared with the right side (n = 5). The average operating time was 66 minutes (37-144 minutes).

Conclusions

Diaphragm plication by a thoracoscopic approach is safe and feasible in neonates and pediatric patients.