title: Morgagni hernia: technical variation in the laparoscopic treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Morgagni hernia is a rare entity that accounts for 3-5% of diaphragmatic hernias. They are mostly asymptomatic and discovered incidentally. Surgical treatment is indicated once diagnosis is made. Abdominal or thoracic accesses are possible using open or minimally invasive technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report two cases of laparoscopic assisted repair of Morgagni hernia conducted by primary closure of the diaphragmatic defect with extracorporeal nonabsorbable sutures anchoring the diaphragmatic edge at the muscular fascia of the abdominal wall.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both patients had an uneventful postoperative recovery. The operative time was 90 and 60 minutes and the postoperative hospitalization was 4 and 2 days respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic intervention for Morgagni hernia repair is easy, safe and less invasive compared to the open one, with reduced hospitalization time. Primary closure of the diaphragmatic defect with extracorporeal nonabsorbable sutures is an effective technique for Morgagni hernia; defects larger than 20-30 cm2 should be repaired using a prosthetic patch.
authors.affiliation: Udine School of Medicine, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Terrosu
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brizzolari
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Intini
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cattin
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bresadola
authors.forename: Dino
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Anna
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male