Central hypoventilation and diaphragmatic eventration: diagnosis and management

Surgical treatment of 125 cases of congenital diaphragmatic eventration in a single institution

BACKGROUND

This study sought to investigate the clinical characteristics of congenital diaphragmatic eventration (CDE) and to compare the efficacies of thoracoscopy and traditional open surgery in infants with CDE.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 125 children with CDE (90 boys, 35 girls; median age: 12.2 months, range: 1 h-7 years; body weight: 1.99-28.5 kg, median body weight: 7.87 ± 4.40 kg) admitted to our hospital in the previous 10 years, and we statistically analyzed their clinical manifestations and surgical methods.

RESULTS

A total of 108 children in this group underwent surgery, of whom 67 underwent open surgery and 41 underwent thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication. A total of 107 patients recovered well postoperatively, except for 1 patient who died due to respiratory distress after surgery. After 1-9.5 years of follow-up, 107 patients had significantly improved preoperative symptoms. During follow-up, the location of the diaphragm was normal, and no paradoxical movement was observed. Eleven of the 17 children who did not undergo surgical treatment did not have a decrease in diaphragm position after 1-6 years of follow-up. The index data on the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, chest drainage time, postoperative mechanical ventilation time, postoperative hospital stay and postoperative CCU admission time were better in the thoracoscopy group than in the open group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical symptoms of congenital diaphragmatic eventration vary in severity. Patients with severe symptoms should undergo surgery. Both thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication and traditional open surgery can effectively treat congenital diaphragmatic eventration, but compared with open surgery, thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication has the advantages of a short operation time, less trauma, and a rapid recovery. Thus, thoracoscopic diaphragmatic plication should be the first choice for children with congenital diaphragmatic eventration.

Collagen metabolism and recurrent hiatal hernia: cause and effect?

Hiatus hernia (HH) is a condition characterized by herniation of the intra-abdominal organs into the thorax. Of the several types that have been identified, the most common is type I (sliding) HH. Congenital predisposition and acquired factors, for example trauma and iatrogeny, have been identified as causative factors. There is a strong association between gastroesophageal reflux disease and HH-the prevalence of reflux in HH may reach 94%. Many methods have been used to treat reflux disease and HH, among which are laparoscopic techniques, which gained popularity as a safe method of treatment. Primary crural repair without mesh application was found to have a recurrence rate of up to 42%. This led to the introduction of mesh in HH repair, which was associated with a significant decrease in recurrence rate. Collagen and its relation to hernia have been investigated for several decades. Collagen has mechanical properties sufficient to enable it to support healed scars and other tissues. Nineteen distinct types of collagen have been recognized, the most common of which are types I and III. Type III collagen is the major constituent of early granulation tissue whereas type I predominates as healing proceeds. Collagen fibers are imbedded in extracellular matrix (ECM), which is in continuous process of synthesis and degradation under the action of matrix metalloproteinases. Many authors have studied the role of collagen in ventral hernia and have even defined hernia as a disease of the ECM. The relationship between collagen and HH, and its recurrence, is not fully understood and needs further investigation.

Cardiovascular Abnormalities and Arrhythmias in Patients with Ondine's Curse (Congenital Central Hypoventilation) Syndrome

Patients with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) (Ondine's curse syndrome) have impaired autonomic control of ventilation with intact voluntary control of respiration. Autonomic dysfunction and cardiac abnormalities are common in CCHS. Bradyarrhythmias are life-threatening and often require pacemaker insertion. We presented a case of a patient with CCHS suffering from long sinus pauses requiring cardiac pacemaker insertion. Patients with CCHS are at risk for pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale secondary to chronic hypoxia. Diaphragmatic pacing has been beneficial in some patients with CCHS. In this article, we review concomitant cardiac abnormalities and the occurrence of bradyarrhythmias in patients with CCHS.

Absence of Device-Device Interaction (DDI) in a Patient with Cardiac and Diaphragmatic Pacemakers for Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome

Autonomic control of ventilation is impaired in patients with Ondine's curse or congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS), but voluntary control remains intact. Bradyarrhythmias can be life threatening. In a patient with CCHS and long sinus pause requiring cardiac pacemaker insertion, a diaphragmatic pacemaker inserted in early childhood caused diaphragmatic pacer spikes observed during the interrogation of the cardiac pacemaker. Diaphragmatic pacing did not interfere with the cardiac pacemaker function.