Chronic traumatic diaphragmatic hernia

Laparoscopic Repair of Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia Secondary to Gunshot Wound

This report presents the case of a 40-year-old man with a history of emergency surgery due to a gunshot wound. Twelve years later, he presented with persistent symptoms, including epigastric pain, pyrosis, and dysphagia. Diagnostic studies reveal a complex paraesophageal and paracardial diaphragmatic hernia. Traumatic diaphragmatic hernias (TDHs) present diagnostic challenges, particularly during the latent phase, with symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal to respiratory. A comprehensive evaluation and correct diagnosis are required, including diagnostic modalities such as CT scans, upper endoscopy, and esophagogastroduodenal transit. Surgical approaches, whether laparoscopic or thoracoscopic, are chosen based on individual preference for adhesions. The report highlights the success of laparoscopic management, emphasizing early detection to prevent complications during both latent and obstructive phases of TDH. Additionally, it emphasizes the necessity of regular follow-ups for trauma patients.

Robotic Repair of Acute Traumatic Diaphragmatic Injury From an Abdominal Approach: A Case Report

Traumatic diaphragmatic injury is a rare condition with a significant mortality risk and may cause a herniation of an intraperitoneal organ into the pleural space. In the acute phase, traumatic diaphragmatic hernia (TDH) may be repaired with laparotomy or thoracotomy and is often associated with multiple concurrent injuries. This case report highlights a rare clinical scenario of blunt traumatic DH in a 62-year-old male with approximately seven centimeters of stomach herniating into the left pleural space, repaired with minimally invasive surgery. This was done via a transabdominal approach with robotic-assisted laparoscopic hernia repair and institution of biologic mesh and represents an important opportunity that potentially reduces the morbidity risk involved with open surgeries.

Transabdominal Minimally Invasive Repair of a Left Chronic Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia

Although the exact incidence of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia (TDH) is unknown, it can carry significant morbidity if not treated promptly. TDH is thought to be more common in penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma compared to blunt trauma. The left side is thought to be more commonly affected than the right due to the protective effects of the liver on the right hemidiaphragm in trauma. Although large defects are evident on CT imaging and the detection rate is improved with higher resolution CT scanners, smaller ruptures may require laparoscopy for definitive diagnosis if there is a high index of suspicion. In this case report, we present a case of a missed left TDH on CT imaging, with eventual herniation of the omentum and stomach. Although TDH traditionally is approached via thoracotomy or laparotomy, we demonstrate that a transabdominal minimally invasive approach with robot-assisted laparoscopic repair is a viable option, with the potential to reduce the morbidities associated with the open approach.

Non traumatic acquired acute transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia induced by coughing

Transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia is a rare disease. It is usually caused by trauma and is rarely caused by coughing. Although a few cases of intercostal hernia induced by coughing have been reported, our case of a non traumatic acquired acute transdiaphragmatic intercostal and abdominal hernia induced by coughing is very rare. A 77-year-old woman presented with sudden-onset left lower chest pain after an episode of violent coughing. She had risk factors for intercostal hernia, including obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, oral steroid use, and diabetes mellitus. Computed tomography showed herniation of the lung and intra-abdominal organs into the thoracic and abdominal wall through a ruptured diaphragm, as well as the intercostal and abdominal muscles. Surgery was completed with interrupted sutures to close the defects after the reduction of the herniated organs. Our experience suggests that careful examinations, including the assessment of risk factors and computed tomography imaging, were essential for establishing an accurate diagnosis, and that the repair of a ruptured diaphragm with simple interrupted sutures without any prosthetic materials seems to be feasible in selected patients with a transdiaphragmatic intercostal hernia.

Delayed Right Diaphragmatic Hernia With Chilaiditi Syndrome: A Case Report

Diaphragmatic hernias can be congenital or acquired and manifest as a defect thus allowing abdominal contents to protrude into the thorax through the defect. Common presentations and symptoms can include shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Rarely colon or small bowel is interposed between the liver and the diaphragm, Chilaiditi sign. When the Chilaiditi sign is accompanied by symptoms it is termed Chilaiditi syndrome. We present a case of a 41-year-old male who was involved in a motor vehicle accident 12 years prior and presented with a right diaphragmatic hernia and Chilaiditi syndrome. The patient presented with a 21-hour history of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. A computed tomography scan of the chest and abdomen revealed the presence of Chilaiditi sign, wherein the large bowel was positioned above the liver, having herniated through a diaphragmatic defect. The patient subsequently underwent an exploratory laparotomy which confirmed an 8 x 4 cm right diaphragmatic defect. Primary repair was completed with intraperitoneal mesh. Diaphragmatic hernias pose diagnostic challenges due to their variable symptomatology and possible delayed onset. Consequently, the importance of including diaphragmatic hernia as part of the differential diagnoses for patients experiencing abdominal pain and/or difficulty breathing is highlighted by this case, especially for individuals with a distant record of trauma.

Natural evolution of perforating wounds of 30% extension of the left diaphragm and the anatomopathological characteristics of its healing. Experimental Study

INTRODUCTION

diaphragmatic injury is a challenge for surgeons. It is an injury that can be isolated. It is frequent in penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma. It represents a diagnostic challenge and the ideal approach is not yet well established. The occurrence of spontaneous healing of these injuries is still much discussed and even more, if it does, what is the healing mechanism?

OBJECTIVE

to macroscopically and histologically evaluate the natural evolution of perforation and cutting wounds equivalent to 30% of the left diaphragm.

METHOD

50 specimens of rats underwent a surgical procedure and, after 30 days, were euthanized and those that presented scar tissue in the diaphragm, the samples were submitted to histopathological study, using the hematoxylin and eosin stains, Massons trichrome and Picrosirius to assess the presence of collagen or muscle fibers (hyperplasia) in the scar.

RESULTS

it was found that healing occurred in diaphragmatic injuries in 90% of rats. We also observed the presence of fibrosis in all analyzed samples.

CONCLUSION

Spontaneous healing occurred in most diaphragmatic injuries and the inflammatory reaction represented by the presence of fibrosis and collagen deposition was observed in all our samples. Muscle fiber hyperplasia did not occur.

Laparoscopic approach in chronic posttraumatic diaphragmatic hernia

Chronic posttraumatic diaphragmatic hernia is an unusual disease with challenging diagnosis and treatment. Surgery represents the treatment of choice which can be transabdominal, transthoracic, or combined approach. The principles of surgery consist of herniated visceral organs reduction and diaphragmatic defect closure. This video demonstrates the steps of chronic posttraumatic diaphragmatic hernia repair via a laparoscopic approach and concerning points during the operation.

A 15-Year-Old Female Presenting With Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia One Year After a Car Accident

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia (TDH) is a known complication in patients with abdominal injuries. Delayed TDH, which presents long after the traumatic event, is a rare subset and is often missed upon initial presentation. We discuss a case involving a 15-year-old female who presented with persistent nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pain and was subsequently diagnosed with TDH via chest x-ray, later confirmed by CT scan. Further investigation of the patient’s history revealed a motor vehicle accident one year prior in which the patient sustained an injury to the left chest. A chest x-ray at that time did not show signs of a diaphragmatic hernia. Surgical evaluation of the diaphragmatic defect further supported previous trauma as the mechanism of injury. Our patient’s presentation is particularly interesting considering the lack of TDH reported in the pediatric population, as well as the presenting complaints being primarily gastrointestinal rather than respiratory.

Evolução natural das feridas perfurocortantes de 30% de extensão do diafragma esquerdo e das características anatomopatológicas de sua cicatrização. Estudo Experimental

RESUMO Introdução: o ferimento diafragmático é um desafio para os cirurgiões. É uma lesão que pode ser isolada. É frequente nos traumas penetrantes toracoabdominais. Representa um desafio diagnóstico e a conduta ideal ainda não está bem estabelecida. A ocorrência da cicatrização espontânea dessas lesões é ainda muito discutida e mais ainda, se ocorre, qual o mecanismo de cicatrização? Objetivo: avaliar macroscopicamente e histologicamente a evolução natural das feridas perfuro cortantes equivalentes a 30% do diafragma esquerdo. Método: 50 espécimes de ratos, foram submetidos a procedimento cirúrgico e, após 30 dias, foram submetidos à eutanásia e aqueles que apresentaram tecido cicatricial no diafragma, as amostras foram submetidas a estudo histopatológico, usando as colorações de hematoxilina e eosina, tricrômico de Masson e Picrossirius para avaliar a presença de colágeno ou de fibras musculares (hiperplasia) na cicatriz. Resultados: verificou-se que ocorreu nas lesões diafragmáticas, a cicatrização em 90% dos ratos. Observamos também, a presença de fibrose em todas as amostras analisadas. Conclusão: ocorreu cicatrização espontânea na maioria das lesões diafragmáticas e a reação inflamatória representada pela presença de fibrose e deposição de colágeno foi observada em todas as nossas amostras. Não ocorreu hiperplasia de fibras musculares.

Treatment of Chronic Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia Based on Laparoscopic Repair: Experiences From 23 Cases

Background: We aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic repair for treating chronic traumatic diaphragmatic hernia (CTDH).

Methods: In this retrospective analysis, we included 23 cases with CTDH underwent laparoscopy in our hospital between June 2015 and October 2019 was performed. The patient characteristics were recorded. We compared the diameter of hernia ring, surgery duration, intraoperative bleeding volume, means of repairing, as well as the follow-up data.

Results: All the patients underwent laparoscopic diaphragmatic hernia repair, without conversion to laparotomy or thoracotomy. The operation time ranged from 60 min to 200 min (mean, 108.04 ± 42.93 min). The blood loss volume ranged from 10 to 300 ml (mean volume, 63.48 ± 71.69 ml). The postoperative hospital stayed ranged from 5 to 15 days (mean, 6.22 ± 2.11 days). The patients were followed up for 1–50 months (mean, 17.5 ± 10.90 months). No recurrence of diaphragmatic hernia was found.

Conclusions: Laparoscopic repair of CTDH is featured by fast recovery, high security, and effectiveness. Reducing the hernia contents and close of the hernia ring are crucial for the surgery that is performed based on the size and location of the diaphragmatic hernia.

Acute and chronic traumatic diaphragmatic hernia: 10 years' experience

Controversy persists regarding many aspects of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia (TDH). We aimed to understand why some traumatic diaphragmatic injuries present with chronic hernia and to evaluate diagnosis and treatment options. Fifty acute and 19 chronic TDH patients were diagnosed and treated at our institution over a 10-year period. Clinical data from these two groups were analyzed statistically and compared. Chronic TDH patients had a significantly lower Injury Severity Score than acute TDH patients (10.26 ± 2.68 vs. 26.92 ± 4.79, P < 0.001). The most common surgical approach for acute and chronic TDH was thoracotomy and laparotomy, respectively. The length of the diaphragmatic rupture was significantly shorter in chronic TDH patients than acute TDH patients (6.00 ± 1.94 cm vs. 10.71 ± 3.30 cm, P < 0.001). The mean length of hospital stay was significantly longer for acute TDH patients than chronic TDH patients (41.18 ± 31.02 days vs. 16.65 ± 9.61 days, P = 0.002). In conclusion, milder trauma and a smaller diaphragmatic rupture were associated with delayed diagnosis. A thoraco-abdominal computed tomography scan is needed for patients with periphrenic injuries to avoid delayed diagnosis of TDH. Improved awareness and understanding of diaphragmatic injuries will increase the rate of early diagnosis and improve prognosis.

Surgical management of chronic diaphragmatic hernias

Chronic diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is an uncommon disease which may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Antecedent (even many months or years before CDH development) blunt or penetrating thoracic/thoraco-abdominal trauma is generally recognized. A wide spectrum of different mechanisms of injury, timing in presentation, size of the diaphragmatic defect, types and amount of abdominal viscera herniated into the chest cavity, clinical symptoms are observed in CDHs. Thoracic and abdominal CT scan (with coronal, axial and sagittal reconstructions) is the best diagnostic tool; sometimes thoracic MRI is needed to better define the extent of the diaphragmatic defect and the number of abdominal organs displaced into the chest cavity. Surgery (sometimes urgent) represents the treatment of choice for CDH; diaphragmatic hernia direct repair with a tension-free suture is generally attempted; in case of very large defects or when a tension-free suture is deemed unfeasible, the use of prosthesis is recommended. This review article will discuss about CDH aetiology, clinical presentation diagnosis and surgical treatment.

Diaphragm and transdiaphragmatic injuries

The incidence of traumatic diaphragmatic rupture (TDR) is around 0.5% of all trauma patients, located more frequently on the left side (80%), with penetrating trauma being more predominantly the cause (63%) than blunt injuries (37%). TDR typically develops during thoracoabdominal injuries and outcome depends on the severity of the associated organ lesion. Diagnosis is sometimes very difficult: chest X-ray can verify TDR in only 25-70% of cases, although the specificity of a multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is 100% and 83% for left and right-sided ruptures, respectively. When TDR is a part of a polytrauma, the management of the patient must follow the ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) protocol and surgery is rarely based on the primary survey. The usual scenario involves cases detected during the secondary survey. In acute cases approach is determined by the site of the life-threatening injuries. In the daily surgical routine, in cases of acute TDR, laparotomy provides the best approach to manage the associated abdominal injuries and diaphragmatic rupture. Alternatively a transthoracic approach offer access to reconstruction in cases of delayed. A transdiaphragmatic procedure is offered when during an exploration (laparotomy or thoracotomy), any sign of an injury (bleeding, perforation) is verified through the rupture of the diaphragm in the other cavity (abdomen or chest and vice versa): the injury via a transdiaphragmatic way can be managed. Usually, a simple and small rupture up to 5-6 cm can be reconstructed with No. 0 or 1 monofilament non-absorbable or absorbable interrupted sutures, while for larger defects, interrupted figure-of-eight or horizontal mattress sutures are required. Mesh prosthesis is rarely needed.

Pleural effusion in a child with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt and congenital heart disease

We present the unique case of an 8 month old infant who required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) after neonatal repair of tetralogy of Fallot. While on ECMO, he developed grade 3 intraventricular hemorrhage resulting in hydrocephalus requiring ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement at 5 months of life. He presented to cardiology clinic with a 2-month history of poor weight gain, tachypnea, and grunting and was found to have a large right sided pleural effusion. This was proven to be cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulation secondary to poor peritoneal absorption with subsequent extravasation of CSF into the thoracic cavity via a diaphragmatic defect. After diaphragm repair, worsening ascites from peritoneal malabsorption led to shunt externalization and ultimate conversion to a ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt. This is the second reported case of VA shunt placement in a child with congenital heart disease and highlights the need to consider CSF extravasation as the cause of pleural effusions in children with VP shunts.

Laparoscopic repair of a postadrenalectomy left-sided diaphragmatic hernia complicated by chronic colon obstruction

Iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernias are a rarely reported complication of abdominal surgery. We present a case of an iatrogenic diaphragmatic hernia diagnosed 2 years after an adrenalectomy. Corrective laparoscopic surgery was performed, and the postoperative course was uneventful. The patient remained asymptomatic 6 months after the repair. To our knowledge, this is the first such case to be reported.