The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 26, 199-203, Copyright © 1978 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Blunt traumatic rupture of the diaphragm
JW Brooks
Blunt traumatic rupture of the diaphragm must be suspected in all patients
with massive trauma and especially in those whose chest roentgenogram
reveals an abnormal or obscured diaphragmatic shadow. Regular reevaluation
is most important. A diagnostic pneumoperitoneum is the most accurate
preoperative test available. Transthoracic approach is the operation of
choice.