Left-sided diaphragmatic and pericardial ruptures with subluxation of the heart after blunt trauma

: Gunn J, Savola J, Isotalo K

: 2012

: Annals of Thoracic Surgery

: 1

: 93

: 1

: 317

: 319

: 3

: 0003-4975

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2011.05.046

: http://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id:84055189554

We present a rare case of individual but simultaneous rupture of the left pericardium and diaphragm in a patient with multiple blunt trauma. Skeletal trauma was repaired uneventfully with internal plate fixation. Diaphragmatic rupture was suspected and diagnosed 13 days from the initial trauma when the patient exhibited chest pain, dyspnea, and nausea. Intraoperatively, a pericardial rupture was discovered along with subluxation of the heart and repaired with a mesh. © 2012 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.