Early diagnosis and surgical treatment of traumatic diaphragmatic rupture

Objective: To summarize the clinical experiences of early diagnosis and surgical treatment of traumatic diaphragmatic rupture. Methods: The clinical materials of 28 patients with traumatic diaphragmatic rupture from January 1983 to January 2003 were retrospectively reviewed, which etiology, traumatic position, complicated injury, score of injury degree, diagnosis course and surgical approach were analysed. Results: All patients were cured through surgical operation with uneventful postoperative course. The close thoraco-abdominal trauma(71.3%)was the main cause in our cases. The prognosis was effected by the early diagnosis markedly. The prevalence of postoperative complication in the delayed diagnosed cases was greater than in the early diagnosed cases and the length of hospital stay prolonged significantly. Conclusion:The early diagnosis and active treatment of complicated injuries is the key of the cure of traumatic diaphragmatic rupture.