BACKGROUND Traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) is uncommonly encountered despite the high prevalence of blunt abdominal trauma. The diagnosis is often difficult because of its varied presentation along with lack of awareness of this entity. METHODS The case files of all patients with TAWH who were operated at our hospital were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS A total of 11 ...

Rupture of the diaphragm and herniation of the abdominal viscera into the chest are wellrecognized results of crushing or penetrating injuries. Gordon Bryan's study (1921) of both types of injury is a surgical classic. The second world war rekindled interest in traumatic diaphragmatic hernia, and several important papers dealt with those due to penetrating injury (Edwards, 1943; Mackey and Bing...

A series of 58 cases of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia following blunt and penetrating injury is reviewed. The problems of radiodiagnosis are outlined and the need for barium contrast studies of the entire gastrointestinal tract to ensure recognition of isolated small bowel herniation is emphasized. Surgical access via laparotomy is recommended in the immediate post-traumatic presentation, wher...

BACKGROUND Traumatic diaphragmatic hernias (TDHs) are sometimes difficult to identify at an early stage and can consequently result in diagnostic delays with life-threatening outcomes. It is the aim of this case study to highlight the difficulties encountered with the earlier detection of traumatic diaphragmatic hernias. METHODS Clinical data of patients who received treatment for delayed tra...