Rupture of the diaphragm in blunt injuries of the trunk.

Eighteen cases of rupture of the diaphragm caused by blunt trauma of the trunk were seen over a ten-year period. Nine patients died, all from associated injuries of two or more systems. The ruptured diaphragm did not seem to contribute significantly to the cause of death. An acceptable rate of diagnosis was achieved by simple methods and a moderate delay in diagnosis did not affect the outcome.