Postoperative outcome analysis of left-sided idiopathic diaphragmatic hernia: a case report

¹Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Sawangi Meghe, Wardha, Maharashtra, India

^&Corresponding author
Anam Rajendra Sasun, Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Sawangi Meghe, Wardha, Maharashtra, India

Introduction    

Diaphragmatic hernia is a lesion in the diaphragm in which loops of the small and large bowel, stomach, liver, and spleen can bulge into the thoracic cavity of the involved side. This defect can be classified as congenital or acquired [1]. Congenital diaphragmatic defects allow the abdomen´s visceral contents to pass into the thoracic cavity. These hernias are classified into three types, Morgagni hernia, Bochdalek hernia, and Hiatal hernia. The delayed presentation has been observed in 2.5-20% of all patients [2]. Bochdalek hernia is an extremely rare lethal condition, causing incarceration and strangulation, accounting for 31% of the mortality rate. Morgagni hernia is described as herniation of abdominal content through an anterior defect. Its features include nonspecific respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms [3].

Idiopathic diaphragmatic hernia is a rare pathology with various respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms [4]. The surgical repair of the defect is done through Laparotomy, Thoracotomy, or both. Laparoscopic repair has become possible with the recent advancement of Minimally Invasive Surgery [5]. The site and length of the incision, anaesthetic effect, reduced mobility, all of these factors collectively have a huge impact on respiratory muscle function and diaphragmatic movements. This results in suppression of cough reflex followed by secretion retention and reduced lung volumes, all of which collectively result in lung atelectasis and infection [6]. We hereby report a case of adult-onset idiopathic diaphragmatic hernia repaired with laparoscopy surgery and the crucial role of physiotherapy in bringing back the patient to his daily living. Thereby, improving quality of life.

Patient and observation     

Patient information: a 59-year-old male patient, alcoholic since 20 years, Tobacco chewer since 25 years, non-smoker with medical history of grade (II) prostomegaly for the last 06 months. Patient presented with complaints of pain in the left upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and breathlessness for the past 15 days.

Clinical findings: he described his abdominal pain to be insidious in onset, precipitating factors being walking and work while relieving factors for pain being consumption of proton pump inhibiter (Pantoprazole). No h/o abdominal trauma and any congenital deformity. On general examination, Vitals were: Blood pressure 128/80 mmHg. Pulse rate 88 beats/min, and Oxygen saturation of 97%. The examination was done after taking properly written and explained consent from the patient. The examination was done on POD day 2. On inspection and observation, the patient was examined in the propped-up position with an ample amount of support through pillows at the back. On inspection, the patient was on 4L of face mask Oxygen support followed by a Central line, Foley´s catheter, Ryle's tube, ICD, and left pelvic drain (in-situ). Chest movements were reduced, thoraco-abdominal type with a respiratory rate of 19 Breaths/min. All findings were confirmed on palpation. Chest expansion at the axillary nipple, and xiphisternum was done with differences of 2cm, 2cm, and 1cm. Tenderness is present in an epigastric area. Auscultation revealed, a reduction in air entry bilaterally upon lung parameters. The patient demonstrated ICU-acquired weakness.

Timeline of the current episode: the entire timeline of events is illustrated in (Figure 1).

Diagnostic assessment: X-ray chest showed elevation of the left dome of the diaphragm with a mediastinum shift towards the right side, with collapse of the left basal lung (Figure 2). CT Impression of Abdomen and Pelvis showed large defect in left crus of the diaphragm with herniation of stomach to the left thoracic cavity, along-with shift of mediastinum towards the right side (Figure 3). USG impression of Abdomen Pelvis: Liver, Gall bladder, Pancreas, Kidney, Spleen, and bladder appeared normal in morphology and echo-texture. Prostate: Size 4.8×4.3×3.9 cms, weight 46gms, volume 44.1 ml. The enlarged, median lobe of the prostate is protruding into the lumen of the urinary bladder. Laboratory Investigations revealed some derangements (Table 1). Due to financial issues, other investigations couldn't be performed.

Diagnosis: the diagnosis "idiopathic diaphragmatic hernia" of left side was confirmed on the basis of various diagnostic assessments and investigations.

Therapeutic interventions: patient is managed medically with antibiotics, antacids, and multivitamins. The major intent of our designed physiotherapeutic rehabilitation was to improve his quality of life and allow him to return to his daily activities with as little fatigue and shortness of breath as possible. (Figure 4). Physiotherapy rehabilitation was given for 2 weeks followed by a regular follow-up (Table 2). The whole of the Week 1 protocol was followed along with some additional interventions for Week 2 described in (Table 3).

Follow-up and outcome of interventions: the patient showed outstanding response our rehabilitation when compared with Day 1, Week 1, and Day of Discharge status. Follow-up was done every 15 days (Figure 5) (Table 4).

Patient perspective: "I feel blessed to have undergone physiotherapy rehabilitation after my surgery, I would like to thank my therapist with helping me to return back to my daily living. I assure you to continue with the treatment and regular follow-ups".

Informed consent: A well-explained and oral consent was obtained from the patient. The patient was very happy with the various physiotherapeutic interventions given and the progression in his health status and was highly satisfied with his progress.

Discussion     

The history of Diaphragmatic hernia starts with Lazarus Riverius, who discovered this entity during a post-mortem study of a 24-year-male. Idiopathic Diaphragmatic hernia occurs, with no obvious cause. Left-sided predisposition is due to the liver's protection and in part to the fact that embryonic fusion defects are more common in the left. This spontaneous form may be asymptomatic for decades before becoming symptomatic in the late stage when it has expanded [7]. Use of spirometry was found very effective in preventing postoperative complications following abdominal surgery. The postoperative complications can be hypoxemia, early fatigue, decreased inspiratory muscle strength, and atelectasis. He even concluded that 6MWT, volume-incentive spirometry, and flow-metric spirometer showed statistically greater improvement at the time of discharge, which is the results of our treatment [8].

Another added benefit of physiotherapy is that it can support bowel control, notably when coughing or having good expiratory movements. Because of prolonged immobility and resting periods, patients show negative impacts, Therefore early ambulation is a must. The insight into the extended ramification of ICU survivorship has fuelled interest in rehabilitation. ICU acquired weakness occurs within the first 48 hours, so it is crucial to limit muscle weakness and post-intensive care syndrome. Physiotherapists are prominent figures of the inter-professional ICU team because they are skilled in multi-system assessment and management of intubated and spontaneously breathing patients. Active mobilization followed by physiotherapy treatment increases Muscle Strength, and Functional Independence, if initiated within the starting days of ICU admission [9]. Physiotherapy involving lung fields have generally been a prominent regimen of post-operative treatment following abdominal surgery, to limit or minimize problems such as lung atelectasis, pneumonia, sputum retainment, and restrictive lung pathology with alterations in pulmonary structures [10]. Implementing the Autogenic Drainage technique into routine chest physiotherapy after upper abdominal surgery improves blood gases exchanges, shortens hospital stay, and is associated with a lower percentage of pulmonary complications. Furthermore, patients tolerate it very well. As a result, removing infected secretions from the airways can increase ventilator capacity, thereby decreasing direct inflammation of the airway cells [11].

This study is remarkable as such pathologies require surgical emergencies, accounting for less than 1% of all diaphragmatic hernias and with fewer than 30 reported cases in the literature [12]. Our case report is the first-ever report made on novel physiotherapeutic rehabilitation for laparoscopic repair of left-sided idiopathic diaphragmatic hernia. The report has described detailed rationale, interventions, and treatment regime of various interventions which have helped our patient to resume back his daily life and improve his health-related quality of life.

Conclusion     

Our rehabilitation facilitated the patient's recovery by avoiding postoperative complications of laparoscopic diaphragmatic hernia and by implementing various physiotherapeutic approaches and making patients return to their pre-pathological status. A 2 week-physiotherapy regime had a good and beneficial impact on the patient and subsequently allowed him to start his ADLs At the time of discharge patient's full recovery was not achieved, but a major percentage of therapeutic objectives were met, including improved chest expansion, breathing pattern, increased functional vital capacity of lungs, pain reduction, and resuming daily activities after 2 weeks of intensive physiotherapy rehabilitation. The patient was instructed to come for a follow-up every 15 days.

Competing interests     

The authors declare no competing interests.

Authors' contributions     

Anam Rajendra Sasun led the assessment and various interventions for the patient, Vishnu Diwakar Vardhan suggested changes for manuscript processing, and Samiksha Vinod Sonone made the necessary corrections for the publication. Overall every author contributed equally as well as read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Acknowledgment     

We would like to thank our patient, who consented to be part of our case report. We would like to thank the team of Acharya Vinobha Bhave Rural Hospital for their contribution to diagnosis and management.

Tables and figures     

Table 1: post-operatively baseline derangement

Table 2: describing various physiotherapeutic interventions for week 1 rehabilitation

Table 3: describing various physiotherapeutic interventions for Week 2 rehabilitation

Table 4: outcome analysis of different scales used for tracking the progress of the patient

Figure 1: describing timeline of events

Figure 2: chest x-ray with right mediastinum shift and collapse of left basal lung

Figure 3: computed tomography showing invasion of abdominal contents into thoracic cavity due to herniation

Figure 4: patient performing incentive spirometry of 6oo cc with rest intervals

Figure 5: describing outcome analysis of rehabilitation

References