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The Authors report a case of gastric perforation into the left pleural cavity due to the herniation of the gastric fundus into the thorax in a patient who suffered from a thoraco-abdominal trauma four months before. A few physiopathological aspects of post-traumatic rupture of the diaphragm with a delayed presentation are discussed. Clinical and radiological typical elements of the chronic undiscovered diaphragmatic herniation are underlined and the events related to the complications (strangulation, perforation) are described. Finally, a few therapeutical principles are discussed.

A 40-year-old Libyan male was admitted to the intensive therapy unit of Zliten Central Hospital, Libya after a road traffic accident in which he had been the driver. On physical examination he was irritable, dyspnoeic, cyanotic, had contusions and abrasions on his chest and abdomen (mainly on the left side), a lacerated wound on the forehead, a large haematoma over the left thigh and tenderness over the left side of the chest and abdomen.

We describe our experience with a patient in whom a traumatic right diaphragmatic hernia developed 4 years after sustaining injury and review cases of delayed diaphragmatic injury reported in Japan. The patient was a 28-year-old man who sustained a severe contusion of the right epigastric region and fractured a right rib in a traffic accident in September 1992. In August 1996, the patient presented with shortness of breath on effort or after meals. A chest roentgenogram revealed intestinal gas in the right side of the thoracic cavity. A right diaphragmatic hernia was diagnosed on the basis of a gastrointestinal series, and the patient was operated on. The hernial orifice extended anteriorly from the central tendon in an 11:00 direction and measured 11 x 6 cm. The small intestine, right side of the colon, and liver were herniated. A total of 297 cases of blunt traumatic diaphragmatic hernia were reported in Japan between 1981 and 1996, including 47 cases (left side, 32 cases; right side, 15 cases) of delayed diaphragmatic hernia, defined as occurring one month or more after injury. Diaphragmatic hernia should be considered as a possible diagnosis in patients with abnormal shadows in the thoracic region who have recently sustained injury or who have a past history of injury.

Objective: To inform a patient with penetrating thoracic trauma and diaphragm injury that produced stomach herniation, being reduced the hernia and repaired the injury by laparoscopy though abdominal route with excellent result., Report: 17-years-old male, hemodynamically stable with penetrating injury in the fifth left intercostal space, at the level of the middle auxiliary line, pneumothorax and left diaphragmatic hernia. Treatment. A pleurostomy tube was inserted. By laparoscopy 600 mL of free blood in abdominal cavity were aspired, the stomach hernia was reduced and the diaphragmatic repair was performed with nylon 3-0 running suture. The evolution was excellent, being integrated to his work at the twentieth postoperative day., Commentary: Our case supports that laparoscopic surgery is at therapeutic alternative in select cases of trauma.

The diagnosis of traumatic hernia of the diaphragm can be obtained at the time of injury or months-years after the trauma. The Authors report a case of traumatic hernia of the diaphragm, diagnosed 3 years after a blunt thoracic trauma in a 47-year-old man. The patient was admitted to the hospital for a pneumothorax caused by perforation of the herniated colon. He underwent colonic resection and reduction of the herniated viscera but unfortunately he died of septic shock on the 40th postoperative day. Pneumothorax is a very rare complication of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia and few cases are reported in literature. The diagnosis in the delayed phase is not easy since the correlation with the trauma is not always clear.

The authors report their experience of 21 cases of post-traumatic hernias of the diaphragm. On the basis of the results obtained by discussion of etiologic, diagnostic and therapeutic patterns they make at the conclusion that the high mortality, associated with diaphragmatic hernias, can be reduced only with a short time of diagnosis and a prompt surgical treatment of the associated lesions.

An 8-year-old girl was admitted in acute respiratory distress after a direct blunt trauma to the posterior thorax. X-Rays denoted the stomach containing air and fluid within the left thoracic cavity. The authors performed laparoscopic reduction of the hernia and sutured the posterior diaphragmatic rent. The patients condition improved immediately and she was discharged in very good condition 48 h later. The advantages of the technique are presented.

A 32-year-old man received a left-sided thoracic stab wound, which was primarily treated with percutaneous tube thoracostomy. Ipsilateral empyema appeared 8 weeks later and subsequent investigations revealed herniation of the stomach through the diaphragm. The diaphragmatic rupture and a perforation in the gastric wall were repaired at thoracotomy. The literature on such wounds is reviewed.

A study was made of 45 patients with diaphragmatic herniation after penetrating trauma. In 29 the diagnosis was established during the first admission (early presentation) and in 16 during a subsequent admission (delayed presentation). The mortality rate in the early presentation group was 3 per cent compared with 25 per cent in the delayed presentation group. The presence of gangrenous or perforated abdominal viscus in the chest cavity was the single most common and severe aggravating factor. The need for diagnosis of diaphragmatic herniation during the initial admission is emphasized. As isolated diaphragmatic injuries provide few helpful clinical features to aid diagnosis, appropriate investigations and good follow-up are of paramount importance in preventing late herniation of intra-abdominal viscera through a penetrating diaphragmatic injury.

Objective: To analyse our cases of acute rupture of the diaphragm after blunt trauma to find out how to diagnose it earlier and manage it more promptly in future., Design: Retrospective study of casenotes., Setting: Division of general surgery, district hospital, Taiwan., Patients: 50 Patients who presented with acute rupture of the diaphragm after blunt trauma during the 10 year period 1982-91., Main Outcome Measures: Morbidity and mortality., Results: The left hemidiaphragm was injured in 43 cases (86%), and the right in 7 (14%). The most common cause was road traffic accidents. 48 Patients had associated injuries, mainly to the chest and abdomen, and pelvic fractures. 44 Ruptured diaphragms were diagnosed before operation by chest radiography or upper gastrointestinal contrast examination. The transabdominal approach was the most appropriate, because 23 patients had intra-abdominal visceral injuries as well. 20 Patients (40%) had complications, and the rate was 33% among those treated within 24 hours and 70% among those whose treatment was delayed longer than 24 hours (p = 0.067). There were 3 deaths (6%); one patient died of empyema of the right chest as a result of simultaneous perforation of a hollow viscus. 6 Patients were permanently disabled by head and spinal injuries, and pelvic fractures., Conclusion: The prognosis of repairing diaphragmatic hernias is good as the disability rate is low. The diagnosis should be kept in mind in all patients with chest injuries, pelvic fractures, or abdominal injuries with hypoxaemia, as this will result in earlier treatment and improve prognosis. The transabdominal approach is the most appropriate because it makes simultaneous abdominal injuries easier to treat. Correct operative management at an early stage will keep mortality to a minimum.

On the basis of the observation of one case of delayed presentation of traumatic diaphragmatic rupture of the left side with a late diaphragmatic hernia, the authors examine the evolution of the occurrence of this pathology during the last 20 years. The clinical signs and the modality of presentation of the lesions of delayed diagnosis appear absolutely non specific. Incorrect interpretation of the X-ray or only intermittent hernial symptoms are frequent reasons for incorrect diagnosis. Also the initially non recognition of the possible manifestation of the diaphragmatic hernia following blunt or penetrating injuries is usually because the practitioner has not sought it. The diaphragmatic domes must be systematically explored during the laparotomy or thoracotomy performed for thoraco-abdominal trauma. Surgical treatment of long-standing post-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is the same as that applicable in the recent hernias.

A 39-year-old male was admitted to our ICU following traffic accident. The major symptoms were short breathness and unconsciousness due to cerebral hemorrhage. He was treated by mechanical ventilation which delayed the diagnosis of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia. On the 6 day after traffic accident we performed thoracotomy and repaired ruptured diaphragm. It was difficult to diagnose the patient as diaphragmatic hernia who was treated by mechanical ventilation.

A case of surgical treatment of a traumatic diaphragmatic true hernia was presented, which manifested itself as symptoms of left chest oppression 12 years after the accident. The patient was a 66-year-old woman, who met traffic accident in 1976. She was first pointed out abnormal shadow on the chest X-ray in 1981 and began to feel chest oppression in 1988. Barium examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract and chest CT scan revealed a part of corpus ventriculi and colon herniated into the left hemithorax. Diaphragmatic hernia was diagnosed and the operation was performed through the thoracic approach in June 1991. The diaphragm was found to have a hernia sac and a defect at the central tendon. The hernia sac containing the stomach and colon was opened to reduce it's contents into the abdominal cavity. The defect was closed by mattress suture with pledgets and continuous over and over suture. The patient ran a favorable post operative course. A true type among traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is a very rare case in the literature.

Rupture of the diaphragm from blunt trauma is uncommon, but greatly improved prehospital care and transportation of victims has increased the frequency at which patients who sustain this injury arrive at the emergency room alive. We report a case of bilateral diaphragmatic rupture from blunt abdominal trauma in a 33-year old man. Diagnosis was established by laparoscopy after suggestive chest X-rays, liver scintigraphy, CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging. The methods used to diagnose this condition are analyzed.

A patient suffering from blunt traumatic rupture of the right hemidiaphragm is presented. Chest radiography and computed tomography (CT) suggested the type of injury, but magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) established unequivocally the correct preoperative diagnosis.

Diaphragmatic rupture is commonly of traumatic origin and can complicate thoracoabdominal injuries. Some cases are diagnosed after a delay of years. We present three patients with a rupture of the right hemi-diaphragm with herniation of liver fragments, and discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

Traumatic intrapericardinal diaphragmatic hernia is a rare occurrence following blunt thoracoabdominal injuries. We have reviewed 59 cases reported in the literature and added three. Emphasis is placed on the diagnostic difficulties encountered, with some discussion regarding the management and surgical approach.

Intrapericardial diaphragmatic herniation of the stomach is reported in a patient who had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery 6 years earlier. The peritoneopericardial defect was iatrogenic and emphasizes the danger of inadvertent diaphragmatic injury during cardiac surgery.

Between 1975 and 1990, 85 patients with diaphragmatic rupture following blunt trauma were treated at the Royal Brisbane and Princess Alexandra Hospitals, Brisbane. There were 65 on the left, 17 on the right and three were bilateral. Road trauma was the cause in 88% of cases. In the first 48 h the diagnosis was made by chest X-ray in 51 patients, laparotomy in 22, autopsy in two, emergency room thoracotomy, ultrasound and pneumoperitoneum each in a single patient. Seven patients (8%) had delay in diagnosis greater than 48 h ranging from 6 days to 6 months. Diagnosis was subsequently made by pneumoperitoneum (3), chest X-ray (1) and exploratory thoracotomy (1). Two patients presented with a strangulated diaphragmatic hernia 3 and 6 months following an acute admission with blunt chest trauma and urological trauma respectively. During the study period a further five patients presented with an obstructing diaphragmatic hernia. Sixteen patients died (19%), fifteen from associated injuries and one related to the diaphragmatic repair. Ruptured diaphragm should be suspected in patients with severe chest trauma, particularly those requiring positive pressure ventilation, patients with intra-abdominal injuries and those with pelvic fractures. Early recognition and repair results in low morbidity and mortality. Measures that confirmed the diagnosis in patients with delay included repeated chest X-rays and pneumoperitoneum.

In the examination of patients with severe thoracic and/or abdominal trauma not requiring surgical exploration, special attention should be given to signs of traumatic diaphragmatic herniation (TDH). We analysed the hospital records of 63 patients with traumatic injuries of the diaphragm. Of these patients, 39 had suffered a blunt trauma in a traffic accident, 21 penetrating trauma, and three had fallen from a great height. There were 51 patients (81 per cent) with left-sided diaphragmatic injuries, ten (16 per cent) with right-sided injuries, and in two patients (3 per cent) the injuries to the diaphragm were bilateral. There were 22 patients (35 per cent) who had intrathoracic migration of abdominal viscera. Surgical treatment was given in all cases. Twelve patients (19 per cent) died due to massive haemorrhage, neurological lesions, or septicaemia. Based on the literature and our own experience, we developed a diagnostic protocol for the management of diaphragmatic injuries. Chest radiographs should be made routinely. If diaphragmatic injury is suspected, ultrasound investigation must be performed. If the physician is still in doubt, computed tomography should be performed. At laparotomy, the diaphragm should always be thoroughly examined for lacerations.

Rupture of the diaphragm occurs in approximately 5 per cent of cases of severe blunt trauma to the trunk, and the mortality may be as high as 50 per cent. The diagnosis is important because of the high incidence of associated organ damage and complications of a missed injury. Successful diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion but can be made from the chest radiograph in 90 per cent of cases if visceral herniation has occurred. We present three cases of rupture of the diaphragm which highlight the frequent occurrence of a delayed or missed diagnosis.

The article analyses experience in diagnosing the pathological condition and treating 125 patients with acute injury to the diaphragm (61 patients) and chronic traumatic diaphragmatic hernias (64 patients). The authors indicate the therapeutic and diagnostic means in this pathological emergency due to the acute trauma of the chest and abdomen or incarceration of the abdomen. The diagnostic errors and their consequences are analysed. Operation was conducted on 104 patients. In ruptures of the diaphragm in the zone of the esophageal hiatus the cardia was drawn downwards and fastened under the diaphragm; in cases of fractures of the bony framework of the chest with the formation of fragments, panel fixation of the costal fragments and the sternum was carried out by the authors' methods. The results of the surgical interventions are shown (18 patients--17.4% died) with emphasis on the character of the disorders and the lapse of time from the development of the emergency to the application of therapeutic aid.

An experience with diagnosing and treatment of traumatic diaphragmatic hernias in 68 patients (63 of them operated upon) is discussed. The leading role belongs to roentgenological examination of organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Lethality in free diaphragmatic hernias was 2.4%, in incarcerated hernias--52.4%.

A case of massive bilateral diaphragmatic rupture following a low impact motor vehicle accident is described. The patient experienced herniation of intraabdominal contents into the thoracic cavity, but suffered no additional injuries. Few cases of bilateral diaphragmatic rupture have been reported and no cases of acute bilateral rupture have been described as an isolated injury. Diaphragmatic rupture in general may be a difficult injury to recognize. Based on our review of recent cases of diaphragmatic rupture (1979-1990), most patients presenting acutely have additional trauma (89.9%) but only vague symptoms related to their diaphragmatic insult. A chest roentgenogram may be a useful diagnostic tool, although many patients with diaphragmatic rupture have only nonspecific findings. A nasogastric tube placed prior to chest roentgenogram may enable the physician to recognize the injury more readily. A high index of suspicion is required to recognize diaphragmatic rupture and should be maintained for all victims of motor vehicle accidents with abnormal but nondiagnostic chest roentgenograms.

Nine cases of delayed presentation of diaphragmatic hernia secondary to blunt trauma are presented. The delay in presentation varied from one to 16 years from the time of the original injury. The chest radiography was abnormal in all cases. In some, herniation could be reasonably inferred but in others there were only non-specific signs. Once the diagnosis of delayed presentation of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is suspected, we have found barium studies to be the most useful confirmatory investigations.

From 1977 to 1987, 20 patients (18 men and 2 women) with left post-traumatic diaphragmatic rupture, were managed by the General Surgery Service of the Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico de Occidente, IMSS; 13 as urgencies (65%) and 7 as elective procedures (35%). Hernia was due to closed trauma in 80% of the cases. Predominant symptoms were chest pain (85%) and dyspnea (50%). The Stomach was the herniated viscus in 16 instances. CXR showed suggestive data in 95% of the cases. Primary closure was achieved in 95% of the cases, in 8 patients thoraco-abdominal aproach was necessary. There were 50% morbidity (35% athelectasis, 30% wound sepsis) and 10% mortality rates.

A 47-year-old female was admitted to the emergency room following an automobile accident. She was shocked complaining of respiratory difficulty and chest pain. A chest X-ray showed right hemothorax which drained 2.5 liters of blood on insertion of chest tube. Emergency operation revealed rupture of azygos vein. The bleeding was controlled by the ligation of the azygos vein. Postoperative chest X-ray showed obscuration of the left diaphragma, and herniated stomach was identified by the gastrography. Second operation was performed and ruptured diaphragma was repaired. Her postoperative recovery was good. She was discharged from hospital at 7th week.

We have reported two cases of intestinal obstruction due to traumatic diaphragmatic hernia, both resulting from apparently trivial knife wounds. When TDH is due to a penetrating injury, it tends to produce symptoms of intestinal obstruction. A high index of suspicion, a chest x-ray film, and barium studies of the gastrointestinal tract are usually needed to make the diagnosis, though CT scans, ultrasonography, laparoscopy, and radionuclide scanning may also be useful. Surgeons and emergency physicians should be aware of the potential for TDH when there is a history of a penetrating wound of the chest or abdomen.

The authors report a case of post-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia with non specific clinical findings. They consider the etiopathogenetic factors, clinical findings, therapy and underline the importance of well-performed remota anamnestic procedure to recognise the illness fastly.

A 12-year-old boy with a short history of dyspnea and occasional left-sided chest pain was discovered to have a diaphragmatic hernia that apparently resulted from minor chest trauma two years earlier. A large portion of the small bowel, part of the transverse colon, and the entire omentum were found in the left side of the chest. The patient recovered uneventfully after primary repair of the diaphragm. Although such lesions are usually associated with relatively severe injuries, this case shows that they may result from any type of chest trauma.

Injuries of the diaphragm are caused either by direct or indirect violence. In all such ruptures various portions of the abdominal viscera may have ascended into the thoracic cavity. The clinical manifestations are unpredictable and of infinite variety, and especially in massively traumatized patient masked by other injuries. A presumptive preoperative diagnosis of diaphragmatic injury from chest x-ray findings is only possible in about 50% of the cases. In other cases the diagnosis can be confirmed by water.soluble contrast enema into the stomach or colon. Rupture of the diaphragm is a strong indication for operation. In cases of fresh rupture we attempt repair of the diaphragm through a laparotomy incision. In old diaphragmatic rupture we prefer a thoracotomy incision.

A 3.5-year-old girl sustained compression injury leading to isolated bilateral diaphragmatic rupture with extensive herniation of abdominal viscera into the pleuropericardial cavities. Reduction of the hernia and repair of the defects were readily accomplished through a thoraco-abdominal approach with excellent outcome.