[Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture: analysis of 48 cases].

Background: Our aim is to investigate treatment modalities and the results of traumatic diaphragmatic rupture in our trauma patients.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 48 patients admitted to our hospital between 1997-2000 with diaphragmatic injury were evaluated according to the type of injury, diagnostic methods, associated organ injury, treatment modality, morbidity and mortality. Injury severity score (ISS) was used in patients with associated organ injury to assess the effect on mortality.

Results: There was penetrating injury in 69% and blunt injury in 31% of patients. Physical examination and X-ray films were enough in the diagnosis of 66.6% of patients. There was associated organ injury in 83.3% and isolated diaphragm injury in 16.6% of patients. The morbidity and mortality ratio were 8.3% and 10.4% respectively. There was no difference between mortality ratio of penetrating and blunt trauma statistically (p > 0.05). On the other hand, in regard with morbidity and mortality; the injury severity score was higher in patients with associated organ injury (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture is usually seen with associated organ injury and mortality and morbidity are higher in this case.