[Traumatic lesions of the diaphragm (personal experience)]

From 1971 to 1982, 126 blunt thoraco-abdominal trauma were seen: in 9 cases (7,1%), diaphragmatic rupture was present. Automobile accidents were the most frequent cause of diaphragmatic rupture and, in only one case, the injury was single. Diaphragmatic rupture was suspected preoperatively in two patients, who had positive physical and radiologic chest findings. The lesion was seen intraoperatively in the other patients, who underwent surgical operation because of severe intra-abdominal injuries. In the author's experience, roentgenologic examinations and adjuntive studies were not important for diagnosis of diaphragmatic injuries. Surgical treatment depended on entity of associated intra-abdominal and intrathoracic injuries, especially in patients observed during immediate post-traumatic period. Authors conclude that single diaphragmatic injury, generally, give no surgical or prognostic problems. High mortality rate seen in these patients is due to multiple organ involvement.