Background: Diaphragmatic hernia is migration of abdominal viscera into the thoracic cavity through a defect in the diaphragm. In children, it is mostly congenital; traumatic diaphragmatic hernia being less common. This study aimed to review our experience with traumatic diaphragmatic rupture (TDR) and to identify the clinical findings and diagnostic modality that may help in early diagnosis and prompt therapy. Methods: The study involved 11 children (1–18 years old) with TDR who were hospitalised between 1993 and 2005. In addition to clinical examination, a plain X-ray of the chest and abdomen, an ultrasound, barium studies, and a computerised tomography (CT) scan were used to evaluate the patients. Results: All of the diaphragmatic ruptures occurred on the left side, with 10 occurring in the posterolateral part and 1 near the oesophageal hiatus. Two of our patients presented 7 and 10 days after the injury, and 1 patient presented 1 year after the trauma. Conclusion: TDR should remain a diagnostic possibility in children. These patients are best assessed using a CT scan. New research on stem cells and tissue-engineered bioprosthetics may pave the path for better future therapies in these cases.

INTRODUCTIONWe aimed to study the efficacy and safety of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT)-Abbrevo procedure for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

METHODSThis was a prospective cohort study that aimed to determine the subjective and objective cure, improvement of SUI and incidence of complications among women who underwent TVT-Abbrevo for SUI during a period of 22 months from September 2011 to June 2013.

RESULTSA total of 76 patients, with a mean age of 48.2 ± 8.1 years, underwent TVT-Abbrevo during the study period. Among them, 86.8% had vaginal delivery and 5.3% had instrumental delivery. Mean parity was 2.3 ± 0.8 and mean body mass index was 27.0 ± 5.0 kg/m. 11 (14.5%) patients had previously tried physiotherapy. Mean follow-up duration was 12.3 ± 5.6 months. The subjective cure rate for SUI at one-month, six-month and one-year follow-up was 95.7%, 90.8%, and 90.6%, respectively. Among the nine patients who completed the two-year follow-up, 88.9% reported either cure or improvement of SUI. At six months, the proportion of patients with objective cure was 86.8%, and the rates of postoperative groin pain and complications were low. In addition, overactive bladder symptoms disappeared in 76.3% of patients.

CONCLUSIONOur results are comparable with those of other studies, although long-term results remain to be seen.