Maternal diaphragmatic hernia in pregnancy:A systematic review with a treatment algorithm

BACKGROUND Diaphragmatic hernia(DH)is extremely rarely described during pregnancy.Due to the rarity,there is no diagnostic or treatment algorithm for DH in pregnancy.AIM To summarize and define the most appropriate diagnostic methods and therapeutic options for DH in pregnancy based on scarce literature.METHODS Literature search of English-,German-,Spanish-,and Italian-language articles were performed using PubMed(1946–2021),PubMed Central(1900–2021),and Google Scholar.The PRISMA protocol was followed.The search terms included:Maternal diaphragmatic hernia,congenital hernia,pregnancy,cardiovascular collapse,mediastinal shift,abdominal pain in pregnancy,hyperemesis,diaphragmatic rupture during labor,puerperium,hernie diaphragmatique maternelle,hernia diafragmática congenital.Additional studies were identified by reviewing reference lists of retrieved studies.Demographic,imaging,surgical,and obstetric data were obtained.RESULTS One hundred and fifty-eight cases were collected.The average maternal age increased across observed periods.The proportion of congenital hernias increased,while the other types appeared stationary.Most DHs were left-sided(83.8%).The median number of herniated organs declined across observed periods.A working diagnosis was correct in 50%.DH type did not correlate to maternal or neonatal outcomes.Laparoscopic access increased while thoracotomy varied across periods.Presentation of less than 3 days carried a significant risk of strangulation in pregnancy.CONCLUSION The clinical presentation of DH is easily confused with common chest conditions,delaying the diagnosis,and increasing maternal and fetal mortality.Symptomatic DH should be included in the differential diagnosis of pregnant women with abdominal pain associated with dyspnea and chest pain,especially when followed by collapse.Early diagnosis and immediate intervention lead to excellent maternal and fetal outcomes.A proposed algorithm helps manage pregnant women with maternal DH.Strangulated DH requires an emergent operation,while delivery should be based on obstetric indications.

Right Post-Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia with Liver Dislocation

Diaphragmatic hernia is a rare consequence of thoraco-abdominal trauma. It may be associated with high morbidity and mortality, particularly if surgical intervention is delayed. We report a case of a right diaphragmatic hernia in a 75-year-old woman. The patient was referred to our hospital with mild dyspnea. Chest radiograph showed an overtly elevated right hemi-diaphragm. Thoracic and abdominal computed tomographic scan was requested and showed a defect of the right diaphragmatic muscle wall with intrathoracic ascension of the liver. During the postoperative course, the patient was still on mechanical ventilation, hemodynamically unstable. She developped urinary peritonitis and an extensive bowel ischemia worsening. We report this case to show that the prognosis is related to associated injuries and possible complications. The possibility of a diaphragmatic rupture should be kept in mind and surgery is mandatory in order to avoid complications.

Right Diaphragmatic Rupture with Passage of an Intrathoracic Ileal Segment Apropos of a Case and Review of the Literature at the Kankan Regional Hospital

Traumatic rupture of the right diaphragmatic dome with herniation of a segment of the hail into the thorax is a rare lesion. It is often the result of a thoraco-abdominal trauma. It can generally lead to early or late cardiopulmonary complications due to compression. The objective of this clinical case is to study the physiopathological mechanisms, the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities of this complication. The diagnosis is often difficult in front of a diaphragmatic rupture since there are no specific clinical signs. In our case, the clinical picture on arrival was that of a high occlusion in an immediate postoperative context. The X-ray which makes it possible to visualize the ascended organs but more difficultly the rupture itself could not be carried out. Treatment is essentially surgical. Although the thoracic approach is preferred by several surgeons because of the difficulties of exposing the diaphragm in the presence of the liver, we chose the abdominal approach instead. The postoperative course is made up of parietal suppuration.

Surgically treated diaphragmatic perforation after radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma

We review 6 cases of diaphragmatic perforation, with and without herniation, treated in our institution. All patients with diaphragmatic perforation underwent radiofrequency ablation(RFA) treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) performed at Kurume University Hospital and Tobata Kyoritsu Hospital. We investigated the clinical profiles of the 6 patients between January 2003 and December 2013. We further describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of diaphragmatic perforation. The change in the volume of liver and the change in the Child-Pugh score from just after the RFA to the onset of perforation was evaluated using a paired t-test. At the time of perforation, 4 patients had herniation of the viscera, while the other 2 patients had no herniation. The majority of ablated tumors were located adjacent to the diaphragm, in segments 4, 6, and 8. The average interval from RFA to the onset of perforation was 12.8 mo(range, 6-21 mo). The median Child-Pugh score at the onset of perforation(8.2) was significantly higher compared to the median Child-Pugh score just after RFA(6.5)(P = 0.031). All patients underwent laparotomy and direct suture of the diaphragm defect, with uneventful post-surgical recovery. Diaphragmatic perforation after RFA is not a matter that can be ignored. Clinicians should carefully address this complication by performing RFA for HCC adjacent to diaphragm.

Diaphragmatic Flap: Technique of Preparation and Indications for Use

Background: The use of a vascularized pedicle flap of diaphragmatic muscle (DF) for reconstructive procedures in the chest has many advantages. Yet, despite the excellent reported results, the use of DF has not been widespread. Some factors for the less widespread use of DF have been, concern about diaphragmatic function, hesitation to use such a vital muscle for reconstructive purposes, and most importantly, the technical aspects for the preparation of the flap. Methods: Using a cadaveric model, the vascular anatomy of the diaphragm and the steps for the preparation of the DF was defined and illustrated for both the right and left hemidiaphragm. Results: No perioperative mortality with the use of DF has been recorded. Function of the native diaphragm has not been impaired. Bronchopleural fistulas and pericardial defects have healed in all instances. Excellent repair has been achieved in all patients with esophageal lesions. The disruption of the repaired native diaphragm and visceral herniation has been reported but it has been attributed to the learning curve and the technique of repair. Conclusion: With a better understanding of the vascular anatomy of the diaphragm and a formal methodical approach to harvesting the DF, more surgeons will be encouraged to use DF with excellent results.

Diaphragmatic hernia after right donor and hepatectomy: a rare donor complication of partial hepatectomy for transplantation

BACKGROUND: Because of the critical worldwide shortage of cadaveric organ donors, transplant professionals have increasingly turned to living donors. Partial hepatectomy for adult living donor liver transplantation has been performed since the late 1990s. Most often,the complications of living donor hepatectomy have been related to the biliary tract, specifically biliary leaks. METHODS: A 54-year-old man underwent donor right hepatectomy for living donor liver transplantation. Three years after liver donation he presented with upper abdominal pain and fullness. Radiographic workup revealed a diaphragmatic hernia of the right hemithorax. RESULTS: After thoracoscopic evaluation of the right hemithorax, diaphragmatic hernia was repaired. Currently the patient remains well several months after the repair with complete resolution of abdominal pain, normal chest X-ray examination demonstrating no recurrence of diaphragmatic hernia, and normal liver functions tests. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple complications of living donor liver transplantation have been described the transplant literature. Diaphragmatic hernia is a formerly-undescribed complication of right donor hepatectomy for transplantation.

Non-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia of the liver in an adult:a case report

BACKGROUND: Diaphragmatic hernia of the liver is a rare clinical entity, usually found after trauma in adults. This study was undertaken to elucidate a misdiagnosis of non-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia of the liver in an adult. METHOD: The clinical data of one patient with non-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia of the liver was analyzed. RESULTS: A tumor in the right lower thorax was revealed by chest X-ray and computed tomography. Non-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia of the liver was not identified until the operation. Pathological analysis confirmed the finding. The patient recovered well. CONCLUSIONS: Non-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia of the liver in an adult is a rare right-sided diaphragmatic hernia, which can move up into the chest cavity. It should be distinguished from lung cancer. The diagnosis and evaluation of non-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia of the liver can help optimize surgical management.

Neurodevelopmental outcome in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: Evaluation, predictors and outcome

To review the reported neurodevelopmental outcome of congenital diaphragmatic hernia(CDH) survivors, identify important predictors of developmental disabilities, and describe the pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to adverse outcome. A Medline search was performed for English-language articles cross-referencing CDH with pertinent search terms. Retrospective, prospective, and longitudinal follow-up studies were examined. The reference lists of identified articles were also searched. Neurodevelopmental dysfunction has been recognized as one of most common and potentially most disabling outcome of CDH. Intelligence appears to be in the low normal to mildly delayed range. Neuromotor dysfunction is common during early childhood. Behavioral problems, hearing impairment, and quality of life related issues are frequently encountered in older children and adolescence. Disease severity correlates with the degree of neurological dysfunction. Neurodevelopmental follow-up in CDH children should become standard of care to identify those who would benefit from early intervention services and improve neurological outcomes.

Colonic tumour precipitating caecal volvulus within a diaphragmatic hernia

An 85-year-old woman presented with sudden onset of generalised abdominal pain and absolute constipation for 4 d.On examination she had a distended abdomen.Plain abdominal radiograph revealed a gas filled viscous within the left upper quadrant.Subsequent computed tomography suggested caecal volvulus herniated through a left diaphragmatic hernia.The patient underwent reduction of the internal hernia,right hemicolectomy and mesh repair of the diaphragmatic hernia.Postoperative recovery was uneventful.Histology revealed a Dukes’A colonic cancer within the caecum.Herniation of caecal volvulus through a diaphragmatic hernia is a very rare condition and may have been precipitated by the colonic tumour.

Rare diaphragmatic tumor mimicking liver mass

Primary tumors of the diaphragm are quite rare. About 150 cases have been reported in the literature. Fibrosarcomas are the commonest malignant neoplasms of the diaphragm; however, only a few(less than 20) cases have been reported to date. We present the case of an extremely rare tumor of the diaphragm mimicking a liver mass. The patient, a young 28-year-old woman, presented with an 8-month-history of mildly progressive upper abdominal pain and early fullness after meals. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed a mass located in the region of the left lobe of the liver with non visualized left lobe and partial vascular supply of the mass from the left hepatic artery. The tumor was also seen to draw its vascularity from bilateral internal mammary arteries. Surgical excision and hepatectomy was planned, keeping in mind the diagnosis of an atypical left hepatic mass. Laparotomy revealed a left diaphragmatic tumor growing caudally into the upper abdomen, compressing and splaying the liver along the left medial surface where the tumorwas virtually adherent to it. Successful excision of the mass and subsequent histopathological and immunochemistry examination of the specimen revealed low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma of the diaphragm. This case highlights the unusual presentation of a diaphragmatic mesenchymal tumor and how it can be mistaken as an atypical liver mass. It also emphasizes the tumoral vascular supply as an indicator of its organ of origin.

Laparoscopic repair of diaphragmatic hernia associating with radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Radiofrequency ablation(RFA)is an effective treatment for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Although RFA is a relatively safe technique compared with surgery,several complications have been reported to be following/accompanying this treatment.Delayed diaphragmatic hernia caused by RFA is rare;however,the best surgical approach for its treatment is uncertain.We present a case of laparoscopic repair of diaphragmatic hernia due to RFA.CASE SUMMARY An 80-year-old woman with segment VIII HCC was treated twice in 5 years with RFA;28 mo after the second RFA,the patient complained of right hypochondriac pain.Computed tomography revealed that the small intestine was incarcerated in the right thorax.The patient was diagnosed with diaphragmatic hernia and underwent laparoscopic repair by non-absorbable running sutures.The patient’s postoperative course was favorable,and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 12.The diaphragmatic hernia has not recurred 24 mo after surgery.CONCLUSION Laparoscopic treatment of iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernia is effective and minimally invasive.

Effects of Steroid on Diaphragmatic Functions in Rabbits

The effects of steroid on diaphragmatic contractility and endurance were examined in 24 New Zealand rabbits. Diaphragmatic contractility was determined by measuring gastric pressure (Pga) with the lower thorax and the abdomen of the animal being fixed with a rigid cast. Endurance procedure was done by continuous 15 Hz stimulation of the bilateral phrenic nerves, and diaphragmatic endurance was expressed as the time from the initiation of the endurance procedure to the moment when transdiaphragmatic pressure 15 Hz (Pdi-15 Hz) decreased to 25% of Pdimax-15 Hz. Our data suggested that intravenous administration of dexamethasone 2. 5 mg daily for 7 days did not affect the diaphragmatic contractility significantly, but could cause a significant decrease in diaphragmatic endurance.When delivered intravenously at the dose of 2. 0 mg daily for 14 days,dexamethasone induced a significant decrease both in diaphragmatic contractility and endurance.The recovery of the diaphragmatic strength from fatigue, however, was not influenced by dexamethasone in either circumstance. The influence of dexamethasone on diaphragmatic contractility and endurance may have important clinical implications.

Chylothorax after Repair of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in a Neonate: Usefulness of Conservative Management

Aim: Chylothorax is a recognized complication after surgery for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in a neonate. Management strategies for chylothorax include cessation of enteral feedings, repeated aspiration, chest drainage, and total parenteral nutrition. It is important to determine which is the better plan for treatment of chylothorax after repair of CDH. The authors report successful management by use of the MCT diet for a neonate with chylothorax after repair of CDH. Case: A male infant weighing 3.0 kg was delivered by cesarean section at 38 weeks of gestation and intubated immediately after birth. Prenatal ultrasonography had disclosed left-sided posterolateral diaphragmatic hernia. After stabilization, surgery was performed via a left-sided transverse supra-abdominal incision. The unfixed colon, small bowel, stomach, and spleen were reduced from the chest with little difficulty. A hernia sac was not present and the left-sided posterolateral diaphragm showed a defect 3.5 cm × 2.0 cm in width. The child was fed via a nasogastric tube starting on postoperative day 4 and dyspnea disappeared. Plain chest X-ray on postoperative day 7 showed left pleural radioopacity. A specimen of the chest drainage examined on postoperative day 10 was typical of lymph, with a triglyceride level of 328 mg/dl. The chest drainage was dark yellowish, and a medium-chain triglyceride formula was used until postoperative day 30, by which time the effusion has disappeared. Discussion: Chylothorax after repair of CDH may be a transient disorder that will resolve after a period of diminished flow through the thoracic lymphatics.

Administering Anesthesia for Patients with ALS Having a Diaphragmatic Pacemaker Placed: Special Considerations

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease is a relentlessly progressive, fatal disease. Progression of the disease results 3 - 5 years after diagnosis, often from respiratory failure. The diaphragm pacing system (DPS) is a device that stimulates the diaphragm to maximally contract so patients can breathe more effectively. It has been used in patients with neurologic injuries such as spinal cord injury and ALS. From an anesthetic perspective, both the surgery and the patient population present several unique challenges. This case series describes three patients with ALS who had the diaphragmatic pacemaker placed and the anesthetic management during those surgeries.

Isolated Blunt Traumatic Diaphragmatic Rupture in a Case of Situs Inversus

Situs inversus, a very rare congenital anomaly of reversal site of thoracic and abdominal organs, can be very problematic to surgeon while dealing with a case of trauma in emergency. Surgical procedures are considered difficult, complex and more challenging in patients with this condition due to the anatomical difference and position of organs. We came across an interesting and very rare case of isolated blunt traumatic diaphragmatic injury in a case of situs inversus. Traumatic injuries of the diaphragm are uncommon and isolated blunt traumatic injuries of diaphragm are very rare. Our case is very unique of its kind of situs inversus with isolated right sided diaphragmatic rupture in a 60-year-old male patient presenting 4 hours after blunt trauma to chest and abdomen.

A Rare Case of Diaphragmatic Mass: The Key to Diagnosis of a Lung Adenocarcinoma

Lung cancer is a leading cause of death due to malignancy worldwide. Diaphragmatic metastasis secondary to primary lung cancer is rare. In the literature, only a few cases have been described as the majority of cases of diaphragmatic metastasis which are secondary to gastrointestinal neoplasia. The authors report a rare case of diaphragmmatic metastasis from a primary adenocarcinoma of the lung in a 76-year-old female patient with no history of active or passive smoking with progressive worsening fatigue, asthenia, malaise, and unquantified weight loss with three months of evolution, associated with pleuritic chest pain and edema of the lower limbs for fifteen days previous to hospital admission. Chest X-ray showed elevation of the right hemi-diaphragm and thoracic-abdominal-pelvic computed tomography revealed a complex multilobuled mass with neoformative characteristics intersecting the diaphragm and invading the dome liver and the right lung region. Biopsy of the mass was performed whose histological examination was consistent with moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical examination was positive for cytokeratin 7 and negative forcytokeratin 20, suggesting primary lung tumor. A positron emission tomography was performed without uptake in other locations. Diagnosis of adenocarcinoma with diaphragmatic metastasis was then admitted and the patient started chemotherapy with carboplatin and gemcitabine. The patient died six months after the diagnosis. The authors also present a brief theoretical discussion based on the current and scarce literature on this rare entity.

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia associated with pelvic fractures: a case report and literature review

Objective： To review the epidemiological feature, clinical, and diagnostic data of post-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia （TDH） associated with pelvic fractures patients reported in recent 10 years. Methods： One case of delayed presentation of TDH after pelvic fractures taken place one month later was present, with a review on the literature of this kind of patients in our country. Results： The incidence of TDH associated with pelvic fractures was relatively rare, and the diagnosis were often delayed or missed. Although the trans-thorax approach was preferred for surgical closure in the acute phase, its mortality was 8.51%. Conclusion： TDH associated with pelvic fractures is difficult to diagnose because of their varied clinical and radiological signs and the patients may not present with symptoms for a long time following the injury. In clinical, a high index of suspicion with appropriate examination is the mainstays of management, which can also increase the prognosis.

Three-dimensional image simulation of primary diaphragmatic hemangioma: A case report

BACKGROUND Fewer than 200 cases of diaphragmatic tumors have been reported in the past century. Diaphragmatic hemangiomas are extremely rare. Only nine cases have been reported in English literature to date. We report a case of cavernous hemangioma arising from the diaphragm. Pre-operative three-dimensional(3D)simulation and minimal invasive thoracoscopic excision were performed successfully, and we describe the radiologic findings and the surgical procedure in the following article.CASE SUMMARY A 40-year-old man was referred for further examination of a mass over the right basal lung without specific symptoms. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a poorly-enhanced lesion in the right basal lung, abutting to the diaphragm, measuring 3.1 cm × 1.5 cm in size. The mediastinum showed a clear appearance without evidence of abnormal mass or lymphadenopathy. A preoperative 3D image was reconstructed, which revealed a diaphragmatic lesion. Video-assisted thoracic surgery was performed, and a red papillary tumor was found, originating from the right diaphragm. The tumor was resected, and the pathological diagnosis was cavernous hemangioma.CONCLUSION In this rare case of diaphragmatic hemangioma, 3D image simulation was helpful for the preoperative evaluation and surgical decision making.

Combination of diaphragmatic breathing with therapeutic walking exercise to increase peak expiratory flow rate in asthma patients

Objective:This study aimed to determine the effect of combined diaphragmatic breathing and therapeutic walking exercise on peak expiratory flow in asthma patients.Methods:The research design used a quasi-experiment nonequivalent pretest and posttest design.The research sample contained 38 respondents divided into intervention and control groups,selected by simple random sampling.The control group received standard drug therapy,while the intervention group received standard drug therapy and a combination of diaphragmatic breathing and therapeutic walking exercise for 2 weeks.This exercise was carried out in the morning,6 times a week,with 5 diaphragmatic breathing and exhalations per exercise.After that,a 1-min break was followed by a therapeutic walking exercise of 5–15 min,with an increased duration.Both groups measured the peak expiratory flow before and after the intervention using a peak flow meter.The data analysis used central tendency and t-test.Results:The results showed that the mean peak expiratory flow in the intervention group was 306.84,while in the control group,it was 232.63,with the value of the t-test being-14.17(P<0.0001).Conclusions:Diaphragmatic breathing and therapeutic walking exercise significantly increased the peak expiratory flow in asthma patients.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: A Benin Teaching Hospital Experience

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is the outcome of the abdominal contents in the thorax by a breach caused by a failure to close the pleuroperitoneal canal. It is a rare and serious disease. Our teaching hospital had registered these seven last years five cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, operated, but never published. We report the most recent one, a case of a newborn baby seen at the 5th hour of life for respiratory distress. Initial examination revealed: an asymmetric thorax, respiratory distress with 88% oxygen saturation at ambient air, tachycardia and abolition of vesicular murmur in the left lung field. L-abdomen was flat and soft. Thoraco-abdominal radiography revealed a clear left intra-thoracic image with mass effect on the left lung parenchyma. He has benefited from a reduction of the herniated visceras and a successful closing of the breach. The operation had few after-effects after five months follow-up with a very good recovery of the cardio-pulmonary function.