Factors associated with early recurrence after congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to identify patient and treatment characteristics associated with early (in hospital) hernia recurrence after congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) repair. Methods Data from the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Study Group registry were queried from 2007 to 2015. Recurrence of the diaphragmatic hernia after initial repair and prior to death or discharge was determined at the time of reoperation. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) approaches included laparoscopy or thoracoscopy, and open approaches consisted of laparotomy or thoracotomy. Multivariate regression analysis was performed. Results Of 3984 patients, 3332 (84%) underwent CDH repair. 76 (2.3%) patients had an early recurrence. The rate of recurrence was less variable over time for patients undergoing laparotomy vs thoracoscopy (range: 1.1–3.7% vs 1.7–8.9% annually). Timing of repair, whether performed after, during, or before ECMO did not significantly alter recurrence rates (0% vs 4.2% vs 3.0%, p =0.116). Larger defect size (C: OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.2–15.4; D: OR 7.1, 95% CI 1.7–29.1) and an MIS approach (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.7–6.0) were the only independent predictors of recurrence. Conclusion Larger defect size and an MIS approach were associated with higher rates of early recurrence, while ECMO use and timing of repair with ECMO were not. Type of study Treatment study. Level of evidence II.