Abstract

DOMINGUEZ GONZALEZ, Brian; DIEGUEZ CAMPA, Carlos Eduardo  and  ALFARO AVILA, Miguel Ángel. Protrusion of abdominal organs in traumatic diaphragmatic rupture. Acta méd. Grupo Ángeles [online]. 2019, vol.17, n.2, pp.141-144.  Epub May 19, 2021. ISSN 1870-7203.

The diaphragm is a septum that separates the thorax from the abdomen and its physiological function is to help the mechanics of ventilation. Closed abdominal trauma is a very frequent pathology, being mainly caused by automobile accidents, where the diaphragm can be injured in an atypical way (< 5%). A 26-year-old female enters the emergency department after having suffered a car accident. Physical examination revealed abdominal pain, peritoneal irritation, and peristalsis in the left hemithorax during auscultation. Chest x-ray and multislice helical tomography showed a total occupation of left hemithorax, so it was decided to perform exploratory laparotomy under preoperative diagnosis of closed thoracoabdominal trauma with diaphragmatic rupture, confirmed during surgery. The diaphragmatic rupture represents a diagnostic challenge, although it is rare, it should be suspected in all patients with polytraumatism and closed or open thoracoabdominal trauma in presence of nonspecific symptoms.

Keywords : Traumatic rupture of the diaphragm; thoracoabdominal traumatism; polytraumatism.