Traumatic diaphragmatic ruptures: A multidisciplinary study in a tertiary health center

In this study, we present diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in diaphragmatic rupture cases secondary to trauma and treated using surgical intervention.

Between March 2010 and December 2020, a total of 24 patients (23 males, 1 female; mean age: 35.0±13.7 years; range, 18 to 61 years) who were operated for traumatic diaphragm rupture were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data of the patients were evaluated. Differences between the groups with and without morbidity were analyzed.

The mean total length of stay in the hospital was 16.2±10.9 (range, 6 to 56) days. The morbidity rate was 50% (n=12), and the mortality rate was 4.2% (n=1). In the comparison of groups with and without morbidity, three factors were found to be statistically significant: instability at the time of admission (p=0.009), gastrointestinal system perforation regardless of its location (p=0.014), and rib fracture (p=0.027). There was a significant difference in the total length of hospital stay (p=0.045).

Patients whose condition is unstable at the time of admission to the emergency room and who have gastrointestinal system perforations and rib fractures are more prone to developing morbidity, which prolongs the duration of hospital stay.