Morgagni hernia repair in adult obese patient by hybrid robotic thoracic surgery

Morgagni hernia is a relatively uncommon congenital diaphragmatic hernia in which abdominal contents protrude into the chest through the foramen of Morgagni. It usually occurs on the right side of the chest but may occur on the left side or in the midline. In adults, it commonly presents with non-specific symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, gastroesophageal reflux disease and other. Surgical repair should be always performed to prevent the risk of hernia incarceration. Transthoracic approach has been proposed especially in cases with indeterminate, anterior pericardial masses. We believe that in adult obese patients with Morgagni hernia and voluminous hernial sac containing only omentum, the transthoracic approach can represent a valid alternative to transabdominal approach. The use of hybrid robotic thoracic surgery can be strongly recommended because it allows, through robotic instruments, to perform delicate surgical maneuvers in difficult to reach anatomical areas and, with the final extension of a port-site incision, to remove voluminous specimens from the thoracic cavity, avoiding the chest wall discomfort that follow the thoracotomy access.