Laparoscopic repair of diaphragmatic hernias: experience of six cases

Herniorrafia diafragmática videoassistida em gato: relato de caso

RESUMO Relata-se um caso de um felino com sinais de dificuldade respiratória havia cerca de 30 dias e emagrecimento progressivo. Ao exame radiográfico torácico e de abdômen, ficou evidenciada perda de definição da linha diafragmática, sendo compatível com hérnia diafragmática. Na laparoscopia, foi observado grande defeito diafragmático, além de estruturas herniadas. Em razão de as vísceras abdominais direcionarem-se ao tórax, dificultando a oclusão do defeito com suturas intracorpóreas, optou-se pela realização de incisão paracostal, procedendo-se à herniorrafia por celiotomia reduzida. A videolaparoscopia permitiu localizar o local herniado e promover a redução dos órgãos envolvidos com mínimo trauma operatório. Logo, mostrou-se como eficaz ferramenta diagnóstica e auxiliar no tratamento de hérnias diafragmáticas crônicas de grande dimensão em gato.

A case of right-sided Bochdalek hernia incidentally diagnosed in a gastric cancer patient

Background

Bochdalek hernia (BH) is generally congenital, presenting with respiratory distress. However, this pathology is rarely detected in adults. Some adult cases of BH present with symptoms attributed to the hernia, but incidental detection of BH is increasing among asymptomatic adults due to advances in imaging modalities. This report presents the management of incidental BH patients detected in the preoperative period of gastric cancer.

Case presentation

An asymptomatic 76-year-old woman was diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer during follow-up after radiotherapy for uterine cervical cancer. Computed tomography (CT) was performed to exclude metastatic gastric cancer, incidentally detecting right-sided BH. We planned distal gastrectomy with lymph node dissection for gastric cancer and simultaneous repair of BH using a laparoscopic approach. We performed laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer and investigated the right-sided BH to assess whether repair during surgery was warranted. Herniation of the liver into the right hemithorax was observed, but was followed-up without surgical repair because the right hepatic lobe was adherent to the remnant right anterior hemidiaphragm and covered the huge defect in the right hemidiaphragm. No intra- or postoperative pneumothorax was observed during pneumoperitoneum.

Conclusion

Regardless of symptoms, repair of adult BH is generally recommended to prevent visceral incarceration. However, BH in asymptomatic adults appears to be more common than previously reported in the literature. Surgeons need to consider the management of incidental BH encountered during thoracic or abdominal surgery.

Laparoscopic Repair of Bochdalek Diaphragmatic Hernia in Adults

Bochdalek hernia (BH) is an uncommon form of diaphragmatic hernia. The rarity of this hernia and its nonspecific presentation leads to delay in the diagnosis, with the potential risk of complications. This review summarizes the relevant aspects of its presentation and management, based on the present evidence in the literature. A literature search was performed on PubMed, Google Scholar, and EMBASE for articles in English on BH in adults. All case reports and series from the period after 1955 till January 2015 were included. A total of 180 articles comprising 368 cases were studied. The mean age of these patients was 51 years (range 15-90 years) with a male preponderance of 57% (211/368). Significantly, 6.5% of patients were above 70 years, with 3.5% of these being above 80 years. The majority of the hernias were on the left side (63%), with right-sided hernias and bilateral occurring in 27% and 10%, respectively. Precipitating factors were noted in 24%, with 5.3% of them being pregnant. Congenital anomalies were seen in 11%. The presenting symptoms included abdominal (62%), respiratory (40%), obstructive (vomiting/abdominal distension; 36%), strangulation (26%); 14% of them were asymptomatic (detected incidentally). In the 184 patients who underwent surgical intervention, the surgical approach involved laparotomy in 74 (40.27%), thoracotomy in 50 (27.7%), combined thoracoabdominal approach in 27 (14.6%), laparoscopy in 23 (12.5%), and thoracoscopic repair in 9 (4.89%). An overall recurrence rate of 1.6% was noted. Among these patients who underwent laparoscopic repair, 82% underwent elective procedure; 66% underwent primary repair, with 61% requiring interposition of mesh or reenforcement with or without primary repair. The overall mortality was 2.7%. Therefore, BH should form one of the differential diagnoses in patients who present with simultaneous abdominal and chest symptoms. Minimal access surgery offers a good alternative with short hospital stay and is associated with minimum morbidity and mortality.

Large bowel obstruction complicating a posttraumatic diaphragmatic hernia

Posttraumatic diaphragmatic hernia is a rare cause of large bowel obstruction, and can present weeks or years after the initial trauma. Herein, we report the case of a 28-year-old man who presented with signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction nine months after he had a stab wound to his left chest. Chest radiography showed multiple air‑fluid levels in the right upper quadrant, an air-fluid level in the left thoracic cavity and significant free air under the diaphragm. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a contaminated abdomen with perforations in the caecum and proximal transverse colon, and a 4 cm × 4 cm defect in the left posterolateral (septal) aspect of the diaphragm, which was closed with a nonabsorbable suture. Posttraumatic diaphragmatic hernias should be part of the differential diagnosis for patients with bowel obstruction, especially if there is a history of trauma. Radiography is useful in facilitating a quick diagnosis.

The feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic repair for chronic traumatic diaphragmatic herniation: introduction of a novel technique with literature review

PURPOSE

Traumatic diaphragm rupture is a rare trauma that is easily overlooked. A missed diagnosis would result in chronic traumatic diaphragmatic herniation (CTDH). Surgical repair is the standard treatment that is conventionally performed by laparotomy or thoracotomy. Laparoscopic repair has been reported, but its efficacy remains controversial. In this study, we present our novel technique and experience of laparoscopic repair of CTDH and analyze the feasibility and effectiveness of this procedure.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective collection with retrospective review of patients with CTDH treated at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, from 2000 to 2013. The demographic characteristics, surgical procedure, perioperative results, length of hospital stay (HLOS) and follow-up were record and analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 114 patients with traumatic diaphragm hernia, and 24 of them had CTDH with a mean age of 54.9 ± 13.3 years. The HLOS was 15.08 ± 8.17 days. Regarding the surgical method used, 19 patients had open surgery, and 5 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery. The demographic distribution, trauma mechanism, location and size of CTDH were comparable. In the laparoscopic group, the patients had a shorter median HLOS (6 days) than in the open surgery group (16 days; p = 0.002). There was no mortality or recurrence in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study and literature review, patients had laparoscopic repair with a smooth recovery. Laparoscopy provides good surgical exposure, allowing easy repositioning of the herniated content and a smooth repair of the defect without the morbidity of laparotomy. For CTDH, with caution, we can apply this technique with an acceptable result.

Conventional mesh repair of a giant iatrogenic bilateral diaphragmatic hernia with an enterothorax

Purpose

Diaphragmatic hernias (DHs) are divided into congenital and acquired hernias, most of which are congenital. Among acquired DHs, up to 80% are left-sided, only a few iatrogenic DHs have been reported, and bilateral hernias are extremely rare. For diagnostic reasons, many DHs are overlooked by ultrasonography or X-ray and are only recognized at a later stage when complications occur.

Methods

In 2009, we performed three partial diaphragm replacements in our clinic for repairing DHs using a PERMACOL™ implant.

Results

As all patients had uneventful postoperative courses and the clinical outcomes were very good, we present one special case of a 65-year-old male with a giant iatrogenic bilateral DH with an enterothorax.

Conclusion

We see a good indication for diaphragm replacements by using a PERMACOL™ implant for fixing especially DHs with huge hernial gaps and in cases with fragile tissue.

Adult right-sided Bochdalek hernia with ileo-cecal appendix: Almeida-Reis hernia

INTRODUCTION

Bochdalek hernia is one of the most common congenital abnormalities manifested in infants. In the adult is a rarity, with a prevalence of 0.17-6% of all diaphragmatic hernias. Right-sided Bochdalek hernias containing colon are even more rare, with no case described in the literature with ileo-cecal appendix.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

The authors present a case of a right-sided Bochdalek hernia in an adult female of 49 years old, presented with severe respiratory failure. During laparotomy for hernia correction, were found in an intrathoracic position the cecum and ileo-cecal appendix, the right colon and the transverse colon.

DISCUSSION

Although useful in patient evaluation, clinical history and physical examination are not helpful in making diagnosis because of their nonspecific character. CT scan is the most accurate exam for making diagnosis. Most of the times there is no hernial sac. Surgery is the treatment of choice, and it is always indicated even if asymptomatic. In general suture of the defect is possible. Due to patient's weak respiratory function we chose laparotomy by Kocher incision.

CONCLUSION

Being the first case of a right-sided Bochdalek hernia in the adult with a herniated ileo-cecal appendix, we name it Almeida-Reis hernia.

Adult Bochdalek hernia simulating left pleural effusion: a review and a case report

The authors present a rare case of congenital diaphragmatic Bochdalek hernia in an adult stimulating left pleural effusion. The diagnosis of left pleural effusion was made on the basis of conventional chest X-ray and ultrasonography. The definitive diagnosis of Bochdalek hernia was made by left video-assisted thoracoscopy. The patient was successfully treated operatively by conventional surgery--a combination of left thoracotomy and median laparotomy. The reported case supported the view that Bochdalek hernia in adults presents usually with atypical chronic abdominal and respiratory symptoms. Surgical treatment should best be performed, according to the authors, by competent surgeons with good command of both the thoracic and abdominal approaches to the diaphragm.

Laparoscopic dual mesh repair of a diaphragmatic hernia of Bochdalek in a symptomatic elderly patient

Bochdalek hernia is a congenital posterolateral diaphragmatic defect. It is usually diagnosed in newborns and children; the mortality rate is high due to further congenital anomalies such as pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension. In adulthood, the diagnosis is often incidental, while sometimes it is related to gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms, or to herniated viscera complications. Thus, surgical treatment is advocated. We herein report a case of an 86-year-old woman with dyspnea and dysphagia. After the diagnosis by barium enema and CT scan of the herniated stomach and the greater omentum through a left side foramen of Bochdalek, she underwent a successful laparoscopic dual mesh repair and was discharged on the 6th postoperative day.

Bochdalek hernia in the adult: demographics, presentation, and surgical management

BACKGROUND

Bochdalek hernias are a very rare form of diaphragmatic hernias. There are no robust studies that reveal the true natural history of this disease process. The aim of this study was to summarize clinically relevant data for the purpose of assisting surgeons with the work-up, diagnosis, and treatment of adult patients with Bochdalek hernia.

METHODS

A literature search was performed using PubMed, Google scholar, EMBASE and the following keywords: Bochdalek hernia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and posterolateral hernia. All case reports and series after 1955 that pertained to adults were included in the review. The following data points were queried: age, sex, presentation, studies utilized during work-up, laterality, surgical approach, hernia sac management, specific minimally invasive surgical techniques, and follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 124 articles comprising 173 patients met the inclusion criteria. Based on the data provided, several conclusions regarding this disease process can be made. Most patients present with symptoms related to their hernia (86%). Pain is the most common complaint (69%). While laparotomy is the most widely used surgical approach (38%), minimally invasive surgical techniques have gained popularity since their first report in 1995. Laparoscopic repair can be performed with a low complication rate (7%) and short hospital stay (4 days).

CONCLUSIONS

Using modern surgical techniques to include laparoscopy, repair can be performed safely, with a short hospital stay, and with minimal morbidity or mortality.

Minimally invasive repair of a congenital right-sided diaphragmatic hernia in an adult

A 75-year-old woman who presented with a cough was found on investigation to have a large right-sided diaphragmatic hernia with intrathoracic herniation of the colon, small bowel, and right kidney. The patient denied any history of trauma and therefore the hernia was felt to be congenital in nature. The patient underwent a combined laparoscopic repair with polytetrafluoroethylene mesh and a thoracoscopic lysis of adhesions of the posterior right-sided diaphragmatic hernia. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a combined laparoscopic and thoracoscopic repair of a congential diahphragmatic hernia. Although successful repair can be accomplished laparoscopically, the addition of a thoracoscopic lysis of adhesions facilitated the early reexpansion of our patient's chronically scarred lung.

Caecal perforation with faecal peritonitis - unusual presentation of Bochdalek hernia in an adult: a case report and review of literature

The improper fusion of the postero-lateral foramen of the diaphragm was first described by Bochdalek in 1848. The incidence of congenital diaphragmatic hernia varies from1:2000 to 1:5000 live births and Bochdalek hernias (BH) account for 75 to 85% of these. Although it is a well-known entity in neonates, it is occasionally discovered incidentally in adult patients. Until now, a total of around 100 cases of occult asymptomatic Bochdalek hernia have been reported. The symptomatic cases are encountered more rarely. Colon necrosis among the symptomatic cases was reported in some reports. We discuss the present case since we believe it to be, to the best of our knowledge, the first case of a Bochdalek hernia in an adult presenting with caecal perforation and faecal peritonitis and review the published literature about this rare condition.

Right-sided Bochdalek hernia obstructing in an adult: case report and review of the literature

Bochdalek hernias on the right side of the diaphragm are very rarely diagnosed in adults. We review a case of a 35-year-old female who presented acutely with intestinal obstruction. Plain and cross-sectional imaging identified a large right-sided Bochdalek hernia, containing colon, causing a mechanical obstruction and, surprisingly, concurrent appendicitis. The patient underwent an emergency laparotomy. At surgery the colon was reduced and was viable. The diaphragmatic defect was repaired using non-absorbable sutures and an appendicectomy was then performed for purulent appendicitis. She made an uneventful recovery and remains well at 9-month follow-up. We discuss what we believe to be the first reported case of an obstructed right-sided Bochdalek's hernia associated with appendicitis in an adult and review the published literature on this rare condition.

Laparoscopic repair of late presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia usually presents in the neonatal period, with delayed presentation being uncommon. Traditionally repair was performed by laparotomy or thoracotomy. We have performed laparoscopic repair of a previously undiagnosed congenital diaphragmatic hernia that presented acutely in a 10-year-old male. Laparoscopic repair of late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a safe and effective approach even in an emergency. The laparoscopic approach has advantages including reduced hospital stay, excellent visualisation of the defect even for obese patients, and improved cosmesis.