title: Laparoscopic repair of a posttraumatic left-sided diaphragmatic hernia complicated by strangulation and colon obstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Posttraumatic diaphragmatic hernias (PDH) are serious complications of blunt and penetrating abdominal or thoracic trauma. Traditional thoracic or abdominal operations are usually performed in these cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present 2 cases of posttraumatic left-sided diaphragmatic hernia complicated by strangulation and colon obstruction. Both cases were successfully treated with laparoscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that laparoscopy is a safe, successful, and gentle procedure not only for diagnosis but also for treatment of complicated PDH. Strangulation and colon obstruction were not contraindications to performing laparoscopic procedures. The postoperative course and long-term follow-up (range, 12 to 30 months) were uneventful and short. We expect the same good long-term results after laparoscopic repair as after open conventional surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend the use a minimally invasive approach to treat posttraumatic diaphragmatic hernia complicated by strangulation and colon obstruction in hemodynamically stable patients.
authors.affiliation: International Clinic MEDEM, Chief Surgeon of MEDEM International Clinic & Hospital, 6 Marata Ul, St. Petersburg 191025, Russia. andreev@medem.ru
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Andreev
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Protsenko
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Globin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006549:Hernia, Diaphragmatic, Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed