Diaphragmatic hernia diagnosis and management

ABSTRACT

Road traffic accidents [R.T.A] are common in Saudi Arabia because of the high speed driving and this is reflected on the high incidence of blunt diaphragmatic injuries in addition to the penetrating injuries. This study included 16 cases of diaphragmatic hernia, 6 cases of them were congenital and 10 cases of them were traumatic. Four cases out of 6 patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia were of Bochdalek type, while the other 2 cases were of Morgagni type. Eight cases out of 10 patients with traumatic diaphragmatic hernia were due to road traffic accident, while the other two cases were due to stab wounds to the left lower chest. Types, mechanisms of injury, clinical and radiological appearances, methods of diagnosis and methods for exploration and repair were discussed