Traumatic diaphragmatic rupture: personal experience.

402 thoracoabdominal traumas have been observed since November 1998 and seven of these patients (1.7%) showed a diaphragmatic rupture. Four patients showed a right diaphragm rupture and three a left diaphragm rupture. Road traffic accidents were the main cause of trauma. Early diagnosis was performed in three patients (43%), a delayed diagnosis was made to the other patients (57%): one case was an intraoperative diagnosis (14.2%). Everyone had chest X rays and chest and upper abdomen CT scan. One patient had MRI on a late diagnosis. Thoracotomy was performed in all patients and one case (14.2%) of morbility and one (14.2%) of mortality were observed.