Laparoscopic Management of Penetrating Thoracoabdominal Trauma

Traumatic thoracoabdominal injuries can involve multiple organs and multiple cavities, which increases the complexity of surgical management. Traditionally, these injuries required laparotomy and thoracotomy. However, minimally invasive intervention may be reasonable for stable patients.

We present a case of a thoracoabdominal gunshot wound resulting in multiorgan, multicavity injury to the lung, diaphragm, and liver. We performed hepatorrhaphy and diaphragm repair, and addressed a retained hemothorax through a transabdominal laparoscopic approach.

The patient tolerated the procedure well. He required no further procedures, and had no evidence of retained hemothorax or bile leak from the liver injury. After a short stay in the hospital, the patient recovered uneventfully.

In hemodynamically stable patients, the transabdominal laparoscopic approach is a feasible and effective approach to penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma.