Day: March 29, 2020

Newborn after repair of a left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia

CXR after congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair showing no need for a chest tube
CXR AP (above) taken immediately postop shows that the hypoplastic left lung cannot expand to completely fill the pleural space particularly in the basilar region and subsequently there is a moderate amount of air in the pleural space. This should not be called a pneumothorax. CXR AP taken 1 day later (below) shows the left pleural space now filling with fluid.

The diagnosis was normal post-operative appearance after congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair.