Traumatic Diaphragmatic Injury: A Marker of Serious Injury Challenging Trauma Surgeons

The objectives of this study are (1) to evaluate prevalence of traumatic diaphragmatic injury (TDI), (2) identify the predictors of mortality, and (3) study the accuracy of investigations in survivors of TDI. Retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained database of TDI from January 2007 to December 2011. Emergency department (ED) records, operative details, and autopsy reports were reviewed to determine injury characteristics, treatment provided, and outcome. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS ver.15 software. TDI was identified in 75 individuals. Thirty-two of 75 (42.6 %) cases were brought dead to the hospital, and 43/75 (57.3 %) were survivors presented to emergency department, diagnosed to have TDI intraoperatively. Seven of 43 (16.3 %) died postoperatively. Mortality in TDI was significantly related to age (p = 0.001), injury severity (p < 0.001), site of TDI (p = 0.002), and associated injuries (p = 0.021, odds ratio of 9). Death increased with increase in the number of organ injured (p < 0.001, odds ratio of 12). Multi-detector computer tomography (MDCT) detected TDI in 23/26 (88.5 %) cases preoperatively. Laparotomy (p < 0.001, odds ratio of 22) and thoracotomy (p = 0.021, with odds ratio of 9) were associated with survival benefit when compared to minimal invasive surgery in injured cases. The prevalence of TDI was 2.67 %, TDI's mark severity of injury. Mortality increases with increasing number of organ injured. Right-sided or bilateral injury of diaphragm is associated with increased mortality.