[Indirect traumatic diaphragmatic rupture].

Between 1969 and 1988 51 polytraumatized patients were treated for rupture of the diaphragm due to blunt trauma. In 39 cases the lesion was in the left hemidiaphragm, in 11 cases on the right side and in one case on both sides. Clinical investigation and posterior-anterior chest X-ray were the most important diagnostic procedures. A high percentage of ruptures was only detected intraoperatively during acute laparotomy/thoracotomy. Early or delayed surgery had no influence on the survival of patients. The prognosis depends on the severity of associated injuries, which are the main causes of death in these patients.