2003 Volume 17 Issue 7 Pages 740-746
Cases of diaphragm rupture have been reported involving the left chest, but few cases of the right side rupture have been noted. Recent reports of right side diaphragmatic rupture have been increasing, however.
We treated 4 patients with traumatic rupture of the right diaphragmatic, from September 2000 to November 2001. All injuries were incurred in traffic accidents, and included impaction of the liver to the thoracic cavity. Thoracotomy was performed in 2 cases, laparotomy in 1case, and thoracotomy with laparotomy in the other 1. In the early stage, laparotomy was employed to examine for abdominal organ damage. In elective operation cases, thoracotomy was advocated two patients supposing adhesion to the lung.
Underwent operation in the early stage, and 2 were elective after circulation had become stable. All 4 patients survived. The possibility of infection due to the diaphragmatic rupture itself is low. However it is important to search for and treat any additional injures. Elective operation can be performed safely after the respiratory status and circulation status have become stable.
