title: Laparoscopic diaphragm rupture repair.
abstract: Diaphragm rupture is an infrequently encountered but well-documented injury in the multiply injured patient. Only a few cases in which minimally invasive techniques were used for repair have been reported thus far. Herein we describe the repair of a diaphragm rupture in a 36-year-old man who was injured in a motor vehicle accident. In a 10-year review of the literature, we were able to locate seven journal articles reporting 10 patients. We conclude that in appropriate stable patients with diaphragm rupture, minimally invasive techniques offer a reasonable alternative to open laparotomy or thoracotomy.
authors: Division of Trauma Services, East Texas Medical Center, 1000 Beckham Street, Tyler, TX 75701, USA. vlvallina@aol.com
authors: V L
authors: VL
authors: Vallina
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Norwood
authors: C
authors: C
authors: McAuley
authors: J D
authors: JD
authors: Berne
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery