Case Reports
Delayed Presentation of Traumatic Parasternal Lung Hernia

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Abstract

Traumatic lung herniation is an unusual clinical problem. This case report describes a morbidly obese individual who sustained significant chest trauma in a motor vehicle accident. Lung herniation was noted at the time of delayed respiratory failure necessitating ventilation. The significance of the lung hernia in this patient’s respiratory failure is uncertain. The lung hernia was repaired surgically to relieve pain, prevent incarceration, and optimize respiratory function. After a brief period of postoperative ventilation, the patient recovered markedly and has been well since.

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Comment

This report describes the management of a patient who suffered a rare form of traumatic lung hernia. The patient sustained soft tissue injuries of the chest and multiple costochondral separations, contralateral to the side of the impact, typical for the restraint mechanism [3]. Other reports 3, 4 have described similar morbidly obese drivers using three-point restraint systems. It is suggested that the three-point (shoulder harness and lap belt) restraint system immobilized the left hemithorax

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There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

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