Strangulated Gastric Hernia Following a Missed Traumatic Diaphragmatic Injury: A Case Report

Traumatic diaphragmatic injuries (TDIs) are rare and can be life-threatening, depending on the size of the injury and the contents herniating through it. They usually result from blunt or penetrating trauma to the thoracoabdominal area, with an incidence of 0.8-5% and up to 30% presenting late. A high index of suspicion should be maintained when evaluating patients with a history of trauma (severe blunt or thoracoabdominal penetrating trauma) and upper abdominal symptoms. We present a case of a missed TDI after a left posterior thoracoabdominal stab injury, which was evaluated with a diagnostic laparoscopy at an outside hospital. He presented to our emergency department (ED) with sudden onset left-sided chest pain and uncontrollable vomiting. A CT scan was obtained and showed a distended stomach herniating through a defect in the left hemidiaphragm. The patient was immediately taken for laparoscopic exploration and repair. There was a 5 cm defect in the left posterolateral diaphragm containing a strangulated stomach (approximately ⅔) and necrotic omentum. Complete reduction was achieved and the diaphragmatic defect was repaired primarily. His postoperative course was uncomplicated. This case illustrates the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for TDI, despite reports of previous exploration. Missed TDI can present with herniated intra-abdominal organs, which can become strangulated and increase morbidity and mortality.