[Traumatic rupture of the diaphragm (twelve cases) (author's transl)].

Twelve cases of male patients with traumatic rupture of the diaphragm are reported. Eleven involved the left hemidiaphragm, and the twelfth the right. The aetiopathogenetic and anatomical-pathological aspects are discussed, and stress is laid on the importance of early diagnosis. In general, the most effective form of reanimation is prompt surgery, reducing the herniated organs in the abdominal cavity, re-expanding the lungs, and treating the frequent concomitant visceral lesions as each case demands. The criteria followed in selecting the route of access to traumatic lesions of the diaphragm are described; in most of the cases reported, the thoracic route was preferred, often associated with laparotomy.