HERNIA through the foramen of Bochdalek, the most common type of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, is one of the few situations requiring emergency major operation in the newborn infant. The mortality rate rises concomitantly with delay in surgical intervention.1,2 Refinements in surgical techniques developed within recent decades have made possible a significant decrease in the infant operative mortality rates associated with this phenomenon. The two cases reported here illustrate the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of this congenital anomaly.
Report of Cases
Case 1.
—A white male infant weighing 6 lb 4 oz (2,835 gm), delivered by cesarean section, was noted by the examining pediatrician to have marked respiratory distress, inadequate breath sounds particularly on the left, and heart sounds fainter on the left than on the right. The infant was limp, cyanotic, and had a poor cry. Laryngoscopic examination revealed no obstruction. Roentgen films of the chest made