[Diaphragmatic blunt injuries: analysis of cases].

Blunt injuries of diaphragm are frequently encountered in polytrauma and thoraco-abdominal injuries. Between 1992/2001, 12 cases were analyzed, representing 19.64% of of a total of 52 cases with diaphragmatic injuries (12 blunt and 40 penetrating). 11 were victims of traffic accidents (91.66%) and one of precipitation (8.3%). There were six men and five women. When they were admitted all patients presented with signs of trauma and hemorrhagic shock. 11 cases were operated. On the first 3 hours and in 3 cases, the patients were directly transported in operator theatre. Death rate was quite high--27.27%. Hospital stay was 15.54 days in average (13-38 days). Complication rate was 27.3%. Diaphragmatic injury are life threatening injuries, always challenging, associated with a high rate of mortality.