Objective: To examine the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic individualized surgical treatment for chronic traumatic diaphragmatic hernia (CTDH). Methods: The clinical data and follow-up data of 29 CTDH cases admitted to the Qilu Hospital of Shandong University or the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from June 2015 to January 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 21 males and 8 females, aged (49.4±17.8) years (range: 19 to 79 years). The main clinical manifestations were symptoms of the digestive system and respiratory system, and only 4 cases were asymptomatic. All patients received laparoscopic treatment (conversion to open surgery was not excluded). Intraoperative exploration (location of the hernia, contents of the hernia, diameter of the hernia ring), surgical conditions (surgical repair plan, operation time, blood loss, postoperative complications) and postoperative follow-up were analyzed and discussed. Results: Laparoscopic repair was successfully completed in 27 cases, including simple suture in 6 cases, suture and patch repair in 17 cases, the anterior abdominal wall muscle flap reversal suture and patch repair of in 3 cases, and patch bridge repair in 1 case. The operation time was (112.8±44.7) minutes (range: 60 to 200 minutes). The amount of bleeding (M(IQR)) was 35 (58) ml (range: 10 to 300 ml). The other 2 patients were converted to laparotomy. Except for one patient with transverse colon strangulation necrosis who died of aggravated pulmonary infection after surgery, the remaining 28 patients were discharged successfully. The follow-up time was 36 (24) months (range: 1 to 60 months). During the follow-up period, only two patients had occasional left upper abdominal discomfort. Twenty-seven patients with left diaphragmatic hernia had no recurrence, and the symptoms of 1 patient with right diaphragmatic hernia were relieved. Conclusion: Customized laparoscopic surgical repair for CTDH according to the location and size of the diaphragmatic defect can achieve good surgical results.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic, Traumatic/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Postoperative Complications ; Laparotomy ; Surgical Mesh

A traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is a rare combined problem involving injuries to the thorax and abdomen that may not be diagnosed at the time of injury. Surgical management is mandatory when the patient displays any signs of bowel strangulation due to the herniation because a herniated bowel has a very high risk of necrosis or perforation. Four patients were diagnosed with delayed traumatic diaphragmatic hernia 14 to 96 months after injury. In two patients, the diaphragmatic injury was missed at the time of injury. Reduction and diaphragm repair surgery were performed. One diaphragm was repaired with artificial mesh. Traumatic diaphragmatic injury is caused by a blunt or penetrating injury to the abdomen or thorax. After migration of the intra-abdominal contents into the chest, a narrow herniation defect can disturb the bowel circulation and passage of bowel contents. Early detection and reduction, and repair surgery are mandatory for patients with a delayed presentation of complicated traumatic diaphragmatic hernia. Any patient with injury around the thorax or upper abdomen should be examined carefully considering the possibility of diaphragmatic hernia. Even if diaphragmatic injuries are not found in the initial evaluation, a radiology examination in a short period of time can correct the missed diagnosis of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia.
Abdomen ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Diagnosis ; Diaphragm ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic, Traumatic ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Thorax

Posttraumatic diaphragmatic hernia is a rare cause of large bowel obstruction, and can present weeks or years after the initial trauma. Herein, we report the case of a 28-year-old man who presented with signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction nine months after he had a stab wound to his left chest. Chest radiography showed multiple air‑fluid levels in the right upper quadrant, an air-fluid level in the left thoracic cavity and significant free air under the diaphragm. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a contaminated abdomen with perforations in the caecum and proximal transverse colon, and a 4 cm × 4 cm defect in the left posterolateral (septal) aspect of the diaphragm, which was closed with a nonabsorbable suture. Posttraumatic diaphragmatic hernias should be part of the differential diagnosis for patients with bowel obstruction, especially if there is a history of trauma. Radiography is useful in facilitating a quick diagnosis.
Adult ; Colon, Transverse ; Colonic Diseases ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic, Traumatic ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Male ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Adult ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; complications ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic, Traumatic ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Pelvic Bones ; injuries

Craniocerebral Trauma ; diagnosis ; Female ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic, Traumatic ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Middle Aged

We report a distinctive case of a large traumatic diaphragmatic hernia (TDH) that presented 36-years after the preceding injury. We believe this case represents the most delayed (TDH) presentation ever reported in Korea. This paper describes the particular presentation, including the operative and postoperative management of this patient. We also review the management of long delayed TDH presentation and the postoperative issues concerning thoracic cavity dead space and propensity of the repaired diaphragm for developing abdominal compartment syndrome.
Diaphragm ; Hernia ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic, Traumatic ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Hypertension ; Korea ; Thoracic Cavity

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia (TDH) occurs in about 5 percent of blunt and penetrating abdominal injury and 10 percent of victims of penetrating chest injury. Ten percent of such injuries become apparent only months or years later after the initial trauma. The TDH patient is at risk for surgical complications, including pulmonary aspiration, tension pneumothorax, hypoxemia, strangulation and necrosis of entrapped bowel and hemodynamic instability. Diagnosis and proper management of TDH is essential in order to minimize such complications. The anesthetic management of a patient with previously unsuspected, chronic traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is discussed.
Human ; Male ; HERNIA, DIAPHRAGMATIC ; HERNIA, DIAPHRAGMATIC, TRAUMATIC ; PNEUMOTHORAX

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia may show a delayed presentation and it rarely simulates pleural effusion. We report here on two asymptomatic cases that were diagnosed by performing chest CT.
Hernia, Diaphragmatic ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic, Traumatic* ; Omentum ; Pleural Effusion* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

A 53-year-old man complained of constipation and abdominal pain including the right flank area for three days. He had suffered multiple rib and clavicular fractures on the right side 10 years earlier. Colonoscopy was performed to assess the constipation, which showed a twisted constricted lumen in the sigmoid colon or descending colon. Passing through it, the saccular dilated bowel wall demonstrated edematous, erythematous changes in the mucosa with a purplish color and necrosis. The proximal part of the saccular lumen also showed a twisted stricture with necrotic materials. The abdominal CT showed subsegmental atelectasis in the right lung, right pleural effusion and a diaphragmatic hernia of the colon. In addition, multiple dilated bowel loops were observed in the abdomen. The patient underwent emergency surgery with a segmental resection of the sigmoid colon. We report this case of delayed traumatic right diaphragmatic hernia of the sigmoid colon with strangulation, which is extremely rare and was revealed by colonoscopy.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Pain ; Colon ; Colon, Descending ; Colon, Sigmoid* ; Colonoscopy* ; Constipation ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Emergencies ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic* ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic, Traumatic ; Humans ; Lung ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; Necrosis ; Pleural Effusion ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Ribs ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The diaphragmatic injury is often associated with thoracic or abdominal trauma. This injury has wide spectrum of symptoms from minimal discomfort to strangulation of the herniated organ. Herein we report a case of delayed presentation of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia treated surgically. The case was discovered about five years later after fall down accident. The patient complained intermittent chest discomfort and pain at the first visit of our department. On physical examination, slightly decreased breathing sound was noted in right lower lung field. The thoracic CT and MRI findings were suggestive of right side diaphragmatic injury with herniation of liver. Under general anesthesia, we confirmed diaphragmatic hernia through thoracoscopic evaluation of right thorax. Unfortunately it was too hard to put liver back into peritoneal cavity through the thoracoscopic procedures. Then we performed abdominal laparotomy and the herniated liver was reduced. The patient was tolerated well and recovered without complications.
Anesthesia, General ; Diaphragm ; Hernia ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic, Traumatic* ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Liver ; Lung ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Physical Examination ; Respiratory Sounds ; Thorax