Early surgical complications after congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair by thoracotomy vs. laparotomy: A bicentric comparison

This bicentric study compared thoracotomy versus laparotomy approaches for CDH repair in 117 neonates. Thoracotomy was associated with significantly higher surgical reintervention rates (29% vs 7%) within the first year, primarily due to acute bowel complications requiring reoperation, though recurrence and mortality rates were similar between approaches.