Delayed Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernias: Tomorrow’s Emergency

Traumatic diaphragmatic injury (TDI) is an often-overlooked consequence of blunt thoracoabdominal trauma. Despite advances in imaging, many diaphragmatic injuries are not identified on initial trauma CTs, leading to delays in diagnosis and possibly life-threatening complications. While some cases present acutely with respiratory distress, others remain undetected for years, progressing to delayed traumatic diaphragmatic hernia (dTDH). In this review, we discuss TDI and present two cases of delayed hernias that presented to the hospital and required urgent surgical intervention. However, as opposed to immediate presentation or long delayed presentation, these hernias developed in the intermediate timeframe. As such, we discuss the need for a structured follow-up for those at high risk of a traumatic hernia.