Tracheal occlusion for fetal diaphragmatic hernia.

Despite advances in neonatal care, diaphragmatic hernia still inflicts significant morbidity and mortality on affected neonates. Abnormal embryologic events disrupt the formation of the diaphragm allowing the abdominal viscera to occupy the intrathoracic space. This interrupts normal pulmonary development with resulting pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension in neonatal survivors. This review will outline the relevant embryology, etiologies, and pertinent historical aspects of diaphragmatic hernia treatments to better understand the current antenatal approach to therapy for this disease process.