[Jaundice as a symptom of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia]

The onset of jaundice as an atypical, early clinical symptom of traumatic hernia of the right diaphragm is described. Jaundice has never been reported in the literature as a symptom of herniated diaphragm. In this case, it was caused by a twisted main bile duct after herniation of the right lobe of the liver through a wide thoraco-diaphragmatic opening. The need for a careful investigation of all thoracoabdominal traumas to identify any concommitant diaphragmatic pathology is emphasised. This is especially true of injuries to the right diaphragm which are often easily identified by simple examination techniques.