2025 Volume 61 Issue 4 Pages 734-739
In this report, we present the case of a neonate who was prenatally diagnosed with a congenital hiatal hernia and who underwent laparoscopic surgery in the neonatal period, despite being asymptomatic. A fetus at a gestational age of 37 weeks was referred to our department because of an intrathoracic cystic lesion. Fetal ultrasonography and MRI revealed a congenital hiatal hernia. At 37 weeks and 6 days of gestational age, the fetus weighing 2,441 g was delivered via cesarean section owing to fetal distress, and the Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min after birth were 8 and 9, respectively. An upper gastrointestinal tract contrast examination revealed a hiatal hernia with complete herniation of the stomach without a short esophagus. The neonate underwent laparoscopic repair and Boerema–Filler fundoplication at 18 days of age. Feeding was initiated 34 days after the surgery for dysphagia associated with laryngomalacia, and the neonate was discharged 76 days after the operation. A year after the surgery, the infant fed normally without vomiting, and no evidence of hernia recurrence was observed. Prenatally diagnosed congenital hiatal hernia is rare; however, laparoscopic surgery can be performed safely during the neonatal period with careful perinatal management.
