[Surgical experiences with traumatic diaphragmatic rupture].

Between 1970 and 1981, 35 patients with traumatic rupture of the diaphragma were treated. Blunt trauma, mostly caused by traffic accidents, predominates. The localization, type and dimensions of the diaphragmatic tear are studied. Among the associated visceral lesions, lacerations of the spleen and the liver are most often seen. Clinical and diagnostic aspects are discussed. Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture is an absolute surgical indication. In the early cases, with few exceptions, a primary abdominal approach is advocated. In the delayed category a thoracotomy is mostly preferred. Operative mortality in the early cases is mainly due to the magnitude of the associated lesions. No mortality occurred in the delayed category. Long term results in controlled patients were very satisfactory.