Bowel obstruction due to diaphragmatic injury after penetrating thoracic trauma.

ABSTRACT

Diaphragmatic injuries due to penetrating traumas to the thorax progress insidiously. Proper diagnosis might only be performed after months. Delayed diagnosis increases morbidity and mortality. Herein, we present a case of diaphragm injury due to penetrating thoracic trauma that was diagnosed 2 years later. The case was referred to emergency service with bowel obstruction symptoms and after the examinations, first laparotomy and then thoracotomy were performed. The trace of the injury tract should be evaluated in all penetrating thoracic traumas and diaphragmatic injury should be taken into consideration. It is important to keep in mind that thoracic symptoms could be obscured and, if needed, further evaluation and surgical exploration should be performed. In the absence of early symptoms, failure to recognize diaphragmatic injuries can result in mortality.