SL Lee, MS Wong, CW Leung, NS Tsoi, CY Yeung

Abstract

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia of Bochdalek type remains a difficult respiratory management problem despite recent advances in medical technologies. We reviewed the features of our patients with this condition from 1988 to 1996. The overall survival rate was 71 % which was comparable with other reported series even though extracorporeal membranous oxygenation was not available. Pen-operative ventilation index less than 1000 and oxygenation index less than 20 were associated with significantly improved survival (p < 0.05 ). These respiratory status may be useful indices to predict the outcome of infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.