title: Esophageal dilatation and reflux in neonates supported by ECMO after diaphragmatic hernia repair.
abstract: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for survivors of surgical repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia was used in 14 neonates. All showed marked esophageal dilatation on postoperative chest radiographs; the dilated esophagus simulated an air- or fluid-filled mass. All patients were later shown to have marked gastroesophageal reflux as well. The finding suggests a problem in swallowing exists before birth, which may explain the recent correlation between diaphragmatic hernia and hydramnios. The observation of a mediastinal mass in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia may represent esophageal ectasia and may be related to significant gastroesophageal reflux.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgery, Babies Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY 10032.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Stolar
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Berdon
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Dillon
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reyes
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Abramson
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Amodio
mesh_terms: D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010107:Oxygenators, Membrane; D011184:Postoperative Period