[Rupture of the diaphragm of late manifestation]

Twenty one cases of delayed diagnosis of ruptured diaphragm caused by closed trauma are reported: 14 on the left side and 7 on the right side. The clinical signs and the modes of presentation are non-specific. Although the history of thoraco-abdominal trauma and the chest x-ray are sufficient to establish the diagnosis of rupture of the left hemidiaphragm, they can only suggest the diagnosis in cases of righ-sided rupture. The mechanism of rupture is more often due to sudden reflex contraction of the diaphragm against a closed glottis than to excessive abdominal pressure caused by the trauma. Diaphragmatic rupture due to closed trauma causes large tears exposing the patient to a low risk of strangulation of intestinal structures in contrast with ruptures due to a penetrating injury, which causes small tears. The diaphragmatic domes must be systematically explored during laparotomy or thoracotomy performed for thoraco-abdominal trauma.