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Published on: February 26, 2017
Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture: a rare cause of postoperative shortness of breath
Jacob M Estes1, Michael Straughn, Larry C Kilgore
1University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, USA. jmestes21@mac.com
Background:
Shortness of breath is a common symptom reported by patients after gynecologic procedures. Delayed traumatic diaphragmatic rupture is a rare cause of shortness of breath.
Case:
This report describes the diagnosis and management of a patient with a delayed presentation of a ruptured right hemidiaphragm after a laparotomy for a pelvic mass.
Conclusion:
Although rare, delayed presentation of traumatic diaphragmatic rupture should be considered in patients with a history of blunt chest or abdominal trauma as a possible cause of shortness of breath in the postoperative setting.
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