title: Median sternotomy: extension of laparotomy for ruptured right hemidiaphragm.
abstract: A 21-year-old man sustained lacerations of spleen, liver, and right hemidiaphragm from blunt trauma. Exposure and repair of the liver and right hemidiaphragm were facilitated by sternal extension of a midline abdominal incision. This operative plan is recommended in severe torso trauma with suspicion of hepatic and/or diaphragmatic injury.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods*; D008099:Liver / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D012421:Rupture; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*