Surgical technique in the laparoscopic repair of Morgagni hernia in adults. How do we do it?

INTRODUCTION

Adult Morgagni hernias are rare congenital diaphragmatic hernias, which can present with an array of symptoms based on the size and the contents of it. This article focuses primarily on the laparoscopic repair with transfascial suturing.

METHODS

A number of five patients over the course of 10 years were admitted in our clinic, one of them being admitted with emergency symptoms. Four of the patients were treated laparoscopically, one of them requiring conversion to open approach.

RESULTS

The median age was 53 (range 44-71), 80% of the patients being females. Four of the patients received laparoscopic treatment with transfascial suturing, the fifth being converted, but respecting the same technique. The median surgery duration was 110 min, with a median blood loss of 30 ml. Removal of the sac was attempted in two cases. Median hospitalization stay was 3 days, with a median follow-up of 21 months, with no postoperative complications reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic repair with transfascial suturing provides an feasible and efficient repair, compared to the other laparoscopic techniques. Although no postoperative complications were reported, the removal of the sac still remains an controversial issue.