Acute Gastro-intestinal Obstruction as a Late Presentation of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. A Report of Three Cases
Abstrakt
Three cases of acute gastro-intestinal obstruction due to incarceration of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (Bochdalek hernia) in infants are reported. The level of incarceration was stomach, small and large intestine.
All of the presented posterolateral diaphragmatic defects were small and without a sac. History of trauma was absent in all patients.
Two girls recovered well while a boy died of intracerebral bleeding one month after surgery. Acute gastrointestinal obstruction as a late, post neonatal, presentation of congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a rare, life-threatening emergency.
The combination of gastro-intestinal obstruction, circulatory and respiratory distress requires urgent gastrointestinal decompression, fluid resuscitation and ventilatory support. Surgery can be performed safely only after preoperative stabilization.