Late versus early surgical correction for congenital diaphragmatic hernia in newborn infants

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia, although rare (1 per 2-4,000 births), is associated with high mortality and cost. Opinion regarding the timing of surgical repair has gradually shifted from emergent repair to a policy of stabilization using a variety of ventilatory strategies prior to operation. Whether delayed surgery is beneficial remains controversial. To summarize the available data regarding whether surgical repair in the first 24 hours after birth rather than later than 24 hours of age improves survival to hospital discharge in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia who are symptomatic at or immediately after birth. Search of MEDLINE (1966-2002), EMBASE (1978-2002) and the Cochrane databases using the terms "congenital diaphragmatic hernia" and "surg*"; citations search, and contact with experts in the field to locate other published and unpublished studies. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they were randomized or quasi-randomized trials that addressed infants with CDH who were symptomatic at or shortly after birth, comparing early (24 hours) surgical intervention, and evaluated mortality as the primary outcome. Data were collected regarding study methods and outcomes including mortality, need for ECMO and duration of ventilation, both from the study reports and from personal communication with investigators. Analysis was performed in accordance with the standards of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group. Two trials met the pre-specified inclusion criteria for this review. Both were small trials (total n