Recovering from Diaphragmatic Hernia Surgery
Most hernia patients are critically ill at the conclusion of surgery and will be taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to recover. For the rare patients who are able to breathe on their own shortly after surgery, expect a fussy baby who is uncomfortable and at times, difficult to console.
If the baby’s lungs are underdeveloped or if breathing problems persist after the surgery, a ventilator may be necessary during the recovery. In some severe cases, the ventilator is not enough to deliver adequate oxygen to the body. In these cases ECLS/ECMO (Extracorporeal Life Support/Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) may be used, a machine that helps to oxygenate the blood when the lungs and heart are unable to do so. This treatment is only used in the sickest patients, those who would die without additional oxygen being delivered to the body.
The length of time the baby spends in the ICU is largely dependent upon how severe the hernia was, if there was any organ damage and how well developed the organs are.
Unfortunately, this condition is very serious and some babies do not tolerate the surgery. Other children make it through the surgery, but the combination of the surgery, underdeveloped organs or organ damage result in death. It is estimated that 80% of patients survive the surgery and recovery.
