Laparoscopic reduction and repair of acute traumatic diaphragmatic hernia: A video review

Abstract

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is one of the sequela of thoraco-abdominal injury, occurring in about 0.5%–5% of patients presenting post major trauma. Motor vehicle collision is the leading blunt trauma etiology. A high level of suspicion is essential to discover such injuries, as a majority of the patients can be asymptomatic. A case of a successful trans-abdominal laparoscopic reduction and repair of a large acute traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is presented as a video demonstration. We were able to evacuate all intrathoracic air, obliviating the need for a chest tube. Post operatively the patient did well with no complications. If expertise is available, laparoscopic intervention is a feasible option even for large traumatic diaphragmatic hernia preventing the need for a large midline laparotomy incision. Keywords: Laparoscopy, Diaphragm, Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia, Hernia, Thoracoabdominal trauma, Video