[Diaphragmatic hernia caused by penetrating injury: emergency laparoscopic reconstruction].

OBJECTIVE

To inform a patient with penetrating thoracic trauma and diaphragm injury that produced stomach herniation, being reduced the hernia and repaired the injury by laparoscopy though abdominal route with excellent result.

REPORT: 17-years-old male, hemodynamically stable with penetrating injury in the fifth left intercostal space, at the level of the middle auxiliary line, pneumothorax and left diaphragmatic hernia. Treatment. A pleurostomy tube was inserted. By laparoscopy 600 mL of free blood in abdominal cavity were aspired, the stomach hernia was reduced and the diaphragmatic repair was performed with nylon 3-0 running suture. The evolution was excellent, being integrated to his work at the twentieth postoperative day.

COMMENTARY: Our case supports that laparoscopic surgery is at therapeutic alternative in select cases of trauma.