Abstract

A 29 year old male patient who experienced penetrating thoracic trauma and had diagnosis of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia nearly 9 months later is presented here. Nine months before the patient was managed conservatively. The patient was referred to our emergency room complaining of intestinal obstruction symptoms. Computed tomography scan revealed fluid level formed by the abdominal organs in the left hemi-thorax. During abdominal exploration, two different 10cm of diaphragmatic defects located in left diaphragm were seen. Stomach was found to be herniated through the medial defect and transverse colon, omentum and spleen were herniated through the lateral diaphragmatic defect. We believe that this case report serves a useful reminder suspicion for diaphragmatic injuries in patients with a history of blunt or penetrating thoracic trauma.