title: Laparoscopic-assisted minithoracotomy for repair of diaphragmatic penetrating trauma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stable patients with thoracoabdominal penetrating or blunt trauma resulting in diaphragmatic injuries represent a challenging dilemma. Laparoscopy has emerged as the most reliable and efficient diagnostic and treatment modality for such patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyze our novel surgical technique for the management of penetrating diaphragmatic injuries in stable patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study, we analyzed data that had been prospectively collected on a new surgical repair technique established at our institution. We reviewed the records of 7 hemodynamically stable trauma patients with thoracoabdominal penetrating trauma resulting in diaphragmatic injuries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 7 patients (5 with stab wounds, 2 with gunshot wounds) underwent laparoscopic exploration and laparoscopic-assisted minithoracotomy for the repair of diaphragmatic injuries. The mean length of stay was 4.4 days (range, 1 to 8 d). There were no tension pneumothoraces, missed injuries, or other procedure-related complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If complete laparoscopic repair is not possible, laparoscopic-assisted repair of diaphragmatic injuries using minithoracotomy is a viable option. In our 7 patients, the results were good, with no morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85749, USA. latifi@surgery.arizona.edu
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amini
authors.forename: Rifat
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Latifi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D061646:Operative Time; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000601:surgery*; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult