Diaphragmatic rupture during labor

Diaphragmatic rupture during labor is uncommon and generally occurs in patients with a history of congenital diaphragmatic hernia or traumatic abdominal or chest injury. We present a case of a 41-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain, vomiting and hypoventilation four days after a full-term home delivery. Chest radiography suggested the presence of a ruptured diaphragm, and laparotomy revealed a congenital left Bochdalek defect with herniation of the Stomach, transverse colon and spleen into the left pleural cavity. Diaphragmatic hernia rupture during labor is a serious but rare complication that requires emergency surgery to prevent visceral perforation and cardio-respiratory failure. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.