Link: https://pmlegacy.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32526780

Eur J Pediatr Surg. 2020 Jun 11. doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1713131. [Epub ahead of print]
Does the Presence of a Hernia Sac Improve Survival in Newborns with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia? A United Kingdom Single-Center Experience.
Jawaid W1, Sampat K2, Losty PD2.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
 A developing body of literature suggests that the presence of a hernia sac in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) may indicate improved prognosis. By examining a large cohort of CDH newborns admitted to a single United Kingdom specialist center, we aimed to establish if presence of hernia sac is a robust predictor of improved survival.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:
 All CDH patients admitted to a single center were recruited. Postneonatal presentations and Morgagni hernias were excluded. Demographics, defect type, laterality, survival, and hernia recurrence were recorded.

RESULTS:
 In this study, 192 CDH newborns were managed from 1997 to 2017; 39 were excluded (10 Morgagni and 29 postneonatal); 22 (14%) neonates had a hernia sac. Survival in patients with a hernia sac was 21/22 (95%) versus 107/124 (86%) in cases without hernia sac (p = 0.2). There was no difference in hernia sac proportion by gender (male:female 15 vs. 13.2%, p = 0..

CONCLUSION:
 In contrast to studies showing a survival advantage, albeit with smaller patient numbers, we report a statistical nonsignificant benefit of hernia sac. Better survival outcomes at this specialist center with CDH patients without a hernia sac than reported in other published studies are likely responsible for the lack of statistical significance observed, despite a larger cohort. National and international CDH registries yielding "big data" may provide further answers on the utility of a CDH hernia sac as a new prognostic scoring tool.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

PMID: 32526780 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1713131