Morgagni's Hernia in Infants and Children

Objective: To report my experience of Morgagni's hernia in 4 infants and 1 child.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Teaching hospital, Saudi Arabia.

Subjects: 4 infants and 1 child with Morgagni's hernias, one of which was recurrent.

Interventions: Repair through an abdominal incision.

Main Outcome Measures: Presentation, morbidity, and recurrence.

Results: 4 of the 5 cases presented with respiratory distress or pulmonary infection, or both; 1 presented with failure to thrive as well. 3 patients had associated anomalies (hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, malrotation of the gut, and left inguinal hernia; Down syndrome; and multiple Mongolian spots and umbilical hernia). The hernia was recognised on chest radiograph in all cases, and confirmed by barium studies in 3. All the hernias were repaired through an abdominal incision. There were no deaths and no early complications, but late complications included a recurrence and incisional hernia in 1 patient and midgut volvulus caused by associated anomalies in another.

Conclusion: Outcome is usually influenced by associated anomalies and the seriousness of the effects of the hernia. Timely diagnosis and repair can improve outcome.