TY - JOUR A1 - Ntia, I A1 - Olatunji, L T1 - Blunt traumatic rupture of the diaphragm in children Y1 - 2001/1/1 JF - Sahel Medical Journal JO - Sahel Med J SP - 25 EP - 31 VL - 4 IS - 1 UR - https://www.smjonline.org/article.asp?issn=1118-8561;year=2001;volume=4;issue=1;spage=25;epage=31;aulast=Ntia N2 - Traumatic rupture of the diaphragm is not common in children. 8 children with blunt traumatic rupture of the diaphragm are reviewed; 6 were male and 2 female. They presented in the acute, Latent and delayed phases of diaphragmatic rupture. Diagnosis was made from a high index l / clinical suspicion followed by carefully interpreted chest radiographs. Cardio-respiratory and gastro-intestinal symptoms were observed alongside symptoms of other associated injuries. The definitive treatment was prompt surgical repair. The abdominal approach was preferred. The st1wch, spleen, transverse colon and omentum were the abdominal organs most frequently translocated into the thorax. Rupture was in the left hemidiaphragm in 7 patients. There was complete recovery without complications in 5 patients. There were 2 postoperative deaths main(v from severe associated multiple i1 iuries. In every severe thoracic or abdominal injury, rupture of the diaphragm should be suspected and deliberate(v sought for clinically and radiological(v. ER -