VSR 421: Regional Veterinary Surgery (2+1)

 TRAUMATIC DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA

• This is caused usually by blunt trauma, especially automobile accidents.
• The tear can occur any where in the diaphragm or the diaphragm may get separated from its attachment to the ribs.

Clinical signs

• The clinical signs may vary from absence of symptoms to severe dyspnoea Also, signs vary with the location and the organ terminated.
• Other conditions such as rib fracture, penumothroax, lung contusion or shock also may be present.
• Due to dyspnoea, the animal (dogs) rest in sitting position with the elbow abducted. On physical examination, intestinal sounds may be heard in the thorax, the heart may be displaced and the heart sounds snuffled.
• Careful palpation may reveal reduction in volume of abdominal viscera or abnormal position of the organs.
• Lateral and ventro-dorsal radiographs will confirm diagnosis, contrast radiography with barium meal will help in diagnosis of herniation of stomach or intestional loops.
• Clinical signs are not exhibited at the time of original injury. But it may develop gradually and show clinical signs such as intermittent vomiting, anorexia, jaundice, dyspnea, reduced exercise tolerance etc.
• Surgical correction is the only treatment.