Post-traumatic diaphragma hernia

Abstract

A case of a 22 year-old male with post-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia resulting from a blunt injury of chest and epigastrium is presented. Based on diagnostic procedures, left-sided posttraumatic diaphragmatic hernia was diagnosed. A scheduled surgical procedure was performed in the patient. A laparotomy revealed a rupture of the left diaphragmatic dome which allowed the displacement of the major part of the stomach to the thoracic cavity. The stomach was replaced in the abdominal cavity and a hernioplasty was performed by suturing the diaphragm while keeping the lungs expanded. During the postoperative course, left-sided pneumothorax occurred which was treated with left thoracic cavity drainage. The drain was removed on the fourth day after the operation when aeration of the lower field of the left lung was achieved. The patient was discharged in good condition on the fifth day after operation.