Hernia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Hernia, including details on hiatal, inguinal, umbilical, abdominal, treatment.

Late bilateral diaphragmatic rupture: challenging diagnostic and surgical repair.

Sirbu H, Busch T, Spillner J, Schachtrupp A, Autschbach R

Department of Thoracic, Heart and Vascular Surgery, RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52075 Aachen, Germany. Horia.Sirbu@post.rwth-aachen.de

A 67-year-old man was referred to our department, after a vehicle accident, with multiple bone fractures and a left blunt diaphragmatic rupture. An emergency laparatomy was performed, and the left diaphragmatic defect directly sutured. Postoperatively, a delayed right diaphragmatic rupture occurred due to progressive inflammation and muscle devitalisation. The diagnosis was challenging because the right rupture became clinically evident later after extubation. Diaphragmatic reconstruction was performed through a right thoracotomy. A high index of suspicion should always be observed for missed or delayed bilateral diaphragmatic ruptures.

Published 11 March 2005 in Hernia, 9(1): 90-2.
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