Blunt rupture of the diaphragm. A retrospective analysis of 41 patients

Forty-one patients with multiple injuries together with diaphragmatic rupture due to blunt trauma were reviewed. The rupture was caused by a motor vehicle accident in 29 (71%) and falling from a height in four (10%) patients. A chest X-ray on admission suggested the diagnosis in 70% of the cases. Small bowel herniation did not occur in ruptures smaller than 15 centimetres. All patients had associated injuries and 84% suffered intra-abdominal trauma, most commonly splenic rupture (42% of all patients). 15 out of 18 patients with a concomitant rupture of the spleen were injured in automobile accidents. The occurrence of splenic rupture in patients injured in automobile vs other accidents differed significantly (P = 0.027). The mortality rate was 12%. Mortality and most of the complications were related to associated injuries. We conclude that 1) there is a high occurrence of intra-abdominal injuries, especially splenic ruptures, in patients with rupture of the diaphragm, 2) the occurrence of splenic rupture is higher in patients injured in automobile accidents than in patients injured by some other mechanism, and 3) a chest radiograph on admission is the best diagnostic aid.