Anesthesia management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia in neonates

Abstract

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is an emergency case in neonates. The prevalence of CDH is 1 in 2500 births and occurs 4-8 times more commonly on left side than right side. CDH is usually worsened by pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension. It is characterized by respiratory failure and bowel sound in the chest area and mostly requires surgical procedure. This case report discusses a neonate with congenital left diaphragmatic hernia who underwent surgical procedure to close the defect. Patients present with cyanosis and shortness of breath, are early intubated, and are mechanically ventilated in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In the present case, the surgical procedure lasted approximately 2 h with general anesthesia, with hemodynamic stability during the surgery. The patient was thereafter intubated and treated at the NICU for close monitoring.