Diagnostic process and management of diaphragmatic injuries: approach in patients with blunt and penetrating trauma.

BACKGROUND Diaphragmatic rupture is one of the most commonly missed injuries in trauma cases. Traditionally, laparotomy or thoracotomy has been the treatment of choice for this condition. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic process in patients with diaphragmatic injuries (DIs) who were diagnosed with diaphragm rupture during the preoperative or intraoperative course together with morbidity and mortality rates. METHODS Sixteen patients with DIs were admitted to our department during the last seven-year period. Surgical procedure, accompanying injuries, duration of hospital stay, transfusion necessity, and morbidity and mortality rates were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS In seven years, 16 patients were treated and followed-up for DI. Female/male ratio was 2/14. Fifteen patients were operated and one was treated conservatively. The mortality rate was 2/16. CONCLUSION DIs are being seen with increasing frequency in recent years. In patients with high Injury Severity Score (ISS), probability of DI should be taken into consideration.