Intravesical pressure: A new prognostic indicator in congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

AIMS: To evaluate the usefulness of intravesical pressure as a prognostic indicator in congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

In 25 cases, bladder pressure was measured intraoperatively during repair.

RESULTS

Cases were divided into three groups according to the intravesical pressure. Group 1: pressure <10 cm (n.9), Group 2: 10-15 cm (n.11) and Group 3: >15 cm (n.5). Number of ventilated days was tabulated against these groups. Median number of ventilated days for Group 1, with the lowest pressure, was 3 days, while that for Group 2 was 5 and for Group 3, with the highest pressure, was 10 days. This was significant, with a P-value of 0.016.

CONCLUSION

Measurement of intravesical pressure is a reliable prognostic indicator in newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia. It also helps in predicting postoperative ventilatory requirement.