Diaphragmatic incarcerated hernia as a later result of chest injury. Case report and review of the literature

Authors present a case of a 40 year-old male with post-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia resulting from a penetration injury of chest. The patient had acute abdominal pain and ileus. Based on clinical examination and diagnostic procedures emergency operation was indicated. During the operation left-sided posttraumatic diaphragmatic hernia with incarceration of left colonic flexure and left colon was found. The authors have mentioned the necessary of careful patient examination after chest injury, which could combine with perforation of diaphragm. In adults later recognized diafragmal hernia could present with gastrointestinal symptoms rather than respiratory symptoms. (author)