Blunt Traumatic Hernia of Diaphragm With Late Presentation

Authors

1 Trauma Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, IR Iran

2 Student Research Center Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, IR Iran

10.5812/atr.7593

Abstract

Background
Diaphragmatic hernia after blunt trauma is an uncommon and often undiagnosed condition.


Objectives
We aimed to review patients who presented with delayed blunt traumatic hernia of diaphragm.


Patients and Methods
In this retrospective study, the medical records of six patients treated for blunt diaphragmatic hernias who were admitted to Kashan Shahid Beheshti hospital between June 2007 and June 2011 were analyzed.


Results
Six patients with mean age of 41 years were included in the study. Male to female ratio was 2:1. Mean duration between trauma and admission to the hospital was 6.5 years (2 – 26 years). Five patients had left-sided diaphragmatic hernia. Chest X-ray was obtained from all patients which was diagnostic in 50 percent of the cases (n = 4). Additional diagnostic imaging with computerized tomography (CT) was used in six patients and upper gastrointestinal (GI) contrast study was performed in one patient. All patients underwent thoracotomy incision. Mesh repair was utilized in one patient. The mean hospitalization time was 14.1 days. There was one postoperative death (16.7%).


Conclusions
Late presentation of blunt diaphragmatic hernia is an uncommon and challenging situation for the surgeon. Prompt diagnosis and treatment prevent serious morbidity and mortality associated with complications such as gangrene and perforation of herniated organ.

Keywords

Archives of Trauma Research
Volume 1, Issue 3
October 2012
Pages 89-92

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