[Iatrogenic perforation of the intrathoracic colon after a late traumatic diaphragmatic hernia]

A case of delayed presentation of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia and colonic injury leading to a review of the literature. Relative diagnostic difficulty in this type of lesions and its acute presentation make managements by mistake, as this one. In a patient with very important acute respiratory embarrassment and chest pain, an Argyle tube was placed because pneumothorax was suspected; the patient improved, but a fluid bowel content was obtained through the drainage tube; TAC and barium enema film showed the colon into the thorax. The patient underwent thoracotomy and laparotomy. In her history, she suffered from a stab wound on the left abdominal flank four years ago; it did not require surgical treatment but it caused the start of the colon movement into the thorax. The ways of presentation and its development are reviewed with the aim of remembering that it must be borne in mind if a patient present a penetrating trauma in the lower chest or upper abdomen, especially if surgical operation was not required, as it happened in this case. A careful history, examination, and review of follow up chest X-ray appears to be the easiest mechanism to avoid delays in diagnosis and reduce the morbi-mortality of this important disease.