Early and Delayed Presentation of Left-sided Diaphragmatic Rupture Secondary to Blunt Trauma: Report of Three Cases
Nuray Colapkulu-Akgul, Ozgur Ekinci, Orhan Alimoglu
Keywords :
Blunt trauma, Diaphragmatic injury, Minimal invasive surgery
Citation Information :
Colapkulu-Akgul N, Ekinci O, Alimoglu O. Early and Delayed Presentation of Left-sided Diaphragmatic Rupture Secondary to Blunt Trauma: Report of Three Cases. Panam J Trauma Crit Care Emerg Surg 2022; 11 (2):90-94.
Aim: The aim is to present three cases of left-sided diaphragmatic hernias due to blunt trauma that were treated by surgical repair.
Background: Diaphragmatic rupture with herniation of abdominal organs is an uncommon injury after blunt trauma. Patients may present with acute respiratory distress or without any symptoms. After an appropriate diagnostic workup, surgical repair is the treatment of choice.
Case description: Three patients presented with a left-sided diaphragmatic hernia after falling from heights in the early and late periods following the trauma. Two patients with early presentations had respiratory symptoms and one patient with late presentation was admitted with acute mechanical intestinal obstruction. All patients were treated with surgery via an abdominal approach.
Conclusion: Left-sided diaphragmatic injuries carry a high risk for herniation of intra-abdominal organs and should be immediately surgically repaired.
Clinical significance: Diaphragmatic hernia is rare after blunt trauma and should not be missed in the initial evaluation. The techniques of surgical repair may vary according to the experience of the surgeons and the general condition of the patients.
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