title: Tension pneumothorax precluding laparoscopic repair of diaphragmatic hernia.
abstract: Pneumothorax can result from laparoscopic procedures in the abdomen. Usually, pneumothoraxes are mild and asymptomatic and do not require conversion to an open procedure. We report a case of tension pneumothorax that developed during the course of a laparoscopic repair of a diaphragmatic hernia. In this patient, the tension pneumothorax did not respond to conventional means of therapy and required conversion to a laparotomy. A large diaphragmatic hernia with communication between the peritoneal and pleural cavities may be a contraindication to minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007, USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Sternberg
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Petrick
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gharagozloo
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Hannallah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000075202:Contraindications; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007813:Laparotomy; D008297:Male; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology*