Complicated diaphragmatic hernia: late outcome of trauma

Abstract

Introduction: Late presentation of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia constitutes a true surgical emergency. The purposes of this study were to describe the diagnostic characteristics, treatment and outcomes of late presentation diaphragmatic hernias and to identify a cutoff point from the onset of symptoms to necrosis development.

Patients and Methods: A retrospective series of cases constituted by all patients subjected to emergency diaphragmatic hernia repair form 2006 to 2016 was studied. Categorical and continuous variables were measured and analyzed with descriptive statistics. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves at 6 and 12 hours from the onset of symptoms were used to determine the cutoff point for organ resection. Once stablished the cutoff point, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and prevalence were calculated.

Results: Clinical presentation, diagnostic study and surgical treatment were similar to what has been already described. The cutoff point was defined at 12 hours from the onset of symptoms with 80% sensitivity and 83% sensibility.

Conclusions: The diagnosis and treatment of these cases should be carried on before the first 6 hours after the onset of symptoms. Even though the universe of this study was small, we may suggest that after 12 hours form the onset of symptoms, the implicated organs would be found necrotic requiring surgical resection.