An interesting case of laparoscopic management of traumatic diaphragmatic rupture in an acute setting

Abstract

Traumatic rupture of the diaphragm is an uncommon injury, often diagnosed late as it is associated with concurrent abdominal and thoracic visceral injuries which are the main cause of morbidity and mortality. Diaphragmatic rupture has been reported in 1–7 % of the patients following major blunt thoracoabdominal trauma and 10–15 % of the patients following penetrating trauma. In an emergency scenario, open approach remains the mainstay of management; however the laparoscopic approach has been steadily gaining acceptance. We report the case of a 35 year old male who was diagnosed with diaphragmatic rupture following blunt trauma to the chest and abdomen. The patient underwent emergency laparoscopic reduction of contents with anatomical repair of the ruptured diaphragm.

Keywords

• Diaphragmatic rupture
• Diaphragmatic hernia
• Trauma