Outcomes for thoracoscopic versus open repair of small to moderate congenital diaphragmatic hernias

Abstract Introduction Indications for thoracoscopic versus open approaches to repair congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) are unclear as the variability in defect size, disease severity and patient characteristics pose a challenge. Few studies use a patient and disease-matched comparison of techniques. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of open versus thoracoscopic repairs of small to moderate sized hernia defects in a low risk population. Methods All neonates receiving CDH repair of small (type A) and moderate (type B) size defects at an academic children's hospital between 2006 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Patients Results The 51 patients receiving thoracoscopic (35) and open (16) repairs were similar in patient and hernia characteristics, with median 2-year follow-up for both groups. Patients with thoracoscopic repair had shorter hospital stay (16 vs. 23days, p=0.03), days on ventilator (5 vs. 12, p=0.02), days to start of enteral feeds (5 vs. 10, p Conclusions In low risk patients born with small to moderate size defects, a thoracoscopic approach was associated with decreased hospital length of stay, mechanical ventilation days, and time to feeding; however, there was a trend towards higher recurrence rates. Level of evidence Level III.