Post-traumatic diaphragmatic rupture: two observations at the National Hospital of Niamey

Abstract

Introduction: Trauma to the diaphragm is rare, accounting for 3.6% of injuries sustained in road accidents. They are the result of violent trauma and most often occur in the left dome. Observations: The two patients were young adults (18, 55), male, and all victims of road traffic accidents resulting in firm trauma to the thorax. All patients had left basithoracic lesions. Both patients were diagnosed intraoperatively based strong clinical and radiological suspicion. The diaphragm ruptures presented by our patients were found on the left, with intra-abdominal viscera ascending into the thorax. Therapeutically, an emergency exploratory laparotomy was performed. The approach was abdominal for two patients, and the surgical procedure involved lowering the herniated organs and suturing the diaphragm for both patients. Postoperative management was straightforward. Conclusion: Post-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is a particular injury in traumatology. It most often occurs in the setting of polytrauma. Its seriousness derives from its complications and associated lesions, which can be life-threatening.