title: Delayed post-traumatic diaphragmatic rupture complicated by total hepato-thorax: A case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intra-thoracic herniation of abdominal organs following diaphragmatic rupture represents an unusual clinical occurrence that poses great diagnostic difficulty.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a rare case of delayed total hepatothorax caused by a right sided post-traumatic diaphragmatic rupture in a 67 year old male. Reduction of the liver in the abdominal cavity and repair of the diaphragm was feasible via a thoraco-abdominal approach. Postoperative chest radiography showed normal position of the right diaphragmatic border.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Characteristics of right diaphragmatic rupture and subsequent complications are reviewed with the aim to reinforce physicians' awareness of this uncommon clinical condition in order to establish a timely diagnosis and reduce the mortality related burden.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgeons should consider this entity in the differential diagnosis of injured patients experiencing sudden respiratory distress during hospitalization as well as days or months after discharge.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Surgery, Saint George General Hospital of Chania, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Miltiades
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kastanakis
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Anyfantakis
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kokkinos
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Petrakis
authors.forename: Emmanouil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bobolakis