Gastric and diaphragmatic rupture in early pregnancy

Abstract

Simultaneous gastric and diaphragmatic rupture is an exceptional situation during pregnancy and it implies a high-risk of maternal and fetal mortality. They are usually associated with previous diaphragmatic abnormalities such as diaphragmatic hernia or diaphragmatic eventration. Both gastric and diaphragmatic rupture can be triggered by situations involving high intra-abdominal pressure. We present the case of a 35-year-old pregnant woman presenting an unspecific clinical picture of intense chest pain and hypoventilation at 15 weeks of pregnancy. She was diagnosed with diaphragmatic rupture complicated by a gastric rupture. © 2010 Published by European Association for Cardio Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.