A delayed traumatic diaphragmatic hernia presenting with a bowel obstruction 20 years postinjury.

A delayed Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia is a rare diagnosis. A 38 years old male presented to our emergency department with an acute bowel obstruction. He had a prior trauma laparotomy twenty year's prior, which was reportedly negative. He required preoperative resuscitation for his severe hypokalaemic, hypochloraemic metabolic alkalosis, and acute renal failure. He underwent operative reduction of the incarcerated contents, and a primary permanent suture repair of the defect. The principles of the diagnosis of the delayed traumatic diaphragmatic hernia, and the operative repair of this entity have been reviewed.