Hernia of Morgagni

diaphragm are reported, seven of whom have been operated on. Four patients had gastro-intestinal symptoms, two respiratory symptoms, and one retrosternal pain; the other two were asymptomatic. In the first case the diagnosis was made at the time of thoracotomy, in the other eight it was suggested by radiological studies, The standard midline epigastric incision was used for repair in four cases and thoracotomy in two; the last patient was operated on through a preperitoneal subxiphoid route. This route has the advantage of not requiring a wide incision of peritoneum. The passage of abdominal contents into the thoracic cavity through an anterior retrosternal diaphragmatic defect has been known as a hernia of Morgagni, according to Morgagni's (1761) first description. There is, however, certain confusion on the name. Some authors apply Larrey's name to this type of hernia; others use Morgagni for right