Delayed abdominal closure after congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair

PurposeWe present our experience with CDH patients who required delayed abdominal closure following CDH repair.MethodsA retrospective review of all CDH repairs from 2004 to 2014 was performed.Results233 patients underwent CDH repair, of which 21 required delayed abdominal closure defined as the inability to close the abdominal fascia at the time of CDH repair. The incidence of delayed closure was higher in those undergoing CDH repair on ECMO vs. not on ECMO (40% [17/43] vs. 2% [4/190]; P < 0.001). The abdominal wound was temporarily covered by skin only (n = 2), skin + prosthetic mesh sutured to the fascia (n = 3), preformed silo (n = 9), or vacuum assisted closure (VAC®) device (n = 7). The mean time to fascial closure was 14.5 ± 7 and 6 ± 3 days for patients repaired on ECMO and not on ECMO, respectively. In patients repaired on ECMO, the “primary closure” and “delayed closure” groups were not different in prenatal predictors (liver up, lung-to-head ratio [LHR]), total days on ECMO, ECMO days prior to CDH repair, and survival. In patients repaired on ECMO, the “delayed closure” group had a significantly higher requirement for blood transfusions compared to the “primary closure” group (mean 87 ± 35 vs. 62 ± 27 ml of packed RBCs per ECMO day; P = 0.01).ConclusionDelayed abdominal closure was required in 40% of CDH repairs done on ECMO but was rarely required in CDH repairs performed off ECMO. Although associated with an increased need for blood transfusions, delayed closure following CDH repair on ECMO was not associated with increased mortality.