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Infant with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Pre and Post-operative Care — Post-operative Management after CDH Repair — Clinical Pathway: Inpatient and ICU

Infant with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Clinical Pathway, Pre and Post-operative Care — Inpatient and ICU

Post-operative Management after CDH Repair

Immediate Priorities

Monitor for cardiorespiratory stability and adequate pain control

Clinical Assessment
  • Obtain babygram
    • ETT and sump may be malpositioned post-operatively
    • Expect to see air ex vacuo in thorax
      • Follow clinically unless evidence of tension physiology
  • Trend gases every 1-2 hrs
    • Adjust ventilation carefully post-operatively — caution over-weaning
  • Increase post-operative pain management using Newborn/Infant Perioperative Pain Pathway Order Set
    • To consider increasing baseline sedation infusions
  • Monitor fluid balance, assess I/O every 4 hrs
    • Follow drain/chest tube output if applicable
  • Beware of worsening pulmonary hypertension, systemic hypotension, metabolic/respiratory acidosis, decreased urine output and treat appropriately
  • Monitor for Abdominal Compartment Syndrome
Nursing Interventions
  • Silo Management — Care Considerations
    • Secure silo with trach string, attached to silo bar in bed, to keep silo contents perpendicular to the infant with minimal tension on silo
      • Make sure warmer bed/isolette is in flat position
    • Care of the base and skin
      • Be mindful of leakage
      • Consider Xeroform and cling at base
    • Emergency dislodgement plan
      • Notify FLC/surgical fellow ASAP
    • Monitor for blood accumulation in silo, higher risk on ECMO
      • Discuss infant positioning/silo, strict bedrest
      • Ongoing assessment of perfusion of the bowel
    • Silo positioning
      Silo positioning
    • Monitor for Abdominal Compartment Syndrome

 

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