[Recent traumatic rupture of the diaphragm in patients with multiple injuries]

The authors report on 16 cases of recent traumatic diaphragmatic lesions in polytraumatized patients referred to them over the period 1979-86. After examining the diagnostic problems relating to this type of lesion, the authors describe the anatomico-topographical, clinical and therapeutic aspects. They conclude by stressing the need to explore the diaphragmatic cupulae systematically in the course of surgery for blunt abdominal trauma.