ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of thoracoscopic surgery for treating late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernias and summarize the experience. MethodsBetween October 2012 and February 2015, 21 children with late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernias underwent thoracoscopic surgery. Of the 21 cases, 12 were girls and 9 were boys with a median age of 1 year and 3 months (range, 2 months to 8 years). Eight patients had obvious symptom in the initial stage:shortness of breath and dyspnea; 13 cases were found occasionally through chest radiography. Of 21 cases, 17 had left diaphragmatic hernias and 4 had right diaphragmatic hernias. The emergency surgery was performed in 5 cases because oppressed obviously and selective operation in 16 cases. Hernial sac existed in 5 cases; there were 19 cases of Bochdalek's hernia and 2 cases of Morgagni's hernia. The size of diaphragmatic defect ranged from 3 cm×2 cm to 5 cm×5 cm. ResultsThe operation time was 35-80 minutes (mean, 50 minutes), and intraoperative blood loss was 3-5 mL (mean, 3.8 mL). Primary healing of incision was obtained. Postoperative abdominal distension and pneumothorax occurred in 12 and 2 cases respectively. The follow-up time was 1-3 years (mean, 20 months). All the cases had a good recovery and satisfactory appearance of the thoracic incision. The symptoms and signs of shortness of breath and dyspnea disappeared. There was no recurrence and chest infection. ConclusionUnder the conditions of mastering operative indications strictly, thoracoscopic repair for late-presenting congenital diaphragmatic hernia is safe and feasible. It can facilitate the procedure and decrease the recurrence rate relying on intraoperative application of hernia repair needle, knot pusher-assistant, and reasonable processing defect periphery.