Post esophagectomy diaphragmatic hernia: A case report of a rare cause of acute respiratory distress

Abstract

Background: Diaphragmatic hernia is frequent among the elderly and is usually associated with mild chronic digestive and respiratory symptoms. Case presentation: An elderly post-esophagectomy male patient, in the early postoperative period of cardiac surgery, presented with acute respiratory distress. An emergent surgery was performed to reduce a giant diaphragmatic herniation. Conclusions: An acute transhiatal herniation can cause serious respiratory impairment; surgical repair should be considered in select patients of cardiac surgery.