Double polytetrafluoroethylene patch repair for diaphragmatic defect caused by diaphragmatic rupture following diaphragmatic resection with endostapler.

A 41-year-old man developed phrenic nerve palsy after the resection of anterior mediastinal tumor, who underwent diaphragmatic resection with an endostapler. After the surgery, the surgical stump ruptured, resulting in a large diaphragmatic defect with the liver prolapsing into the thoracic cavity. Then, the diaphragmatic defect was closed with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patch. The diaphragm was reconstructed using a second PTFE patch overlaying the diaphragmatic defect that had been closed by the first PTFE patch, because solely patching the diaphragmatic defect had a risk of recurrence of diaphragmatic elevation due to remaining original diaphragm and the presence of phrenic nerve palsy. The second PTFE patch was fixed to the lower ribs by non-absorbable suture. The postoperative course was favorable. After 3 months, his symptoms and pulmonary function improved. We underwent double PTFE patch repair in a patient with both huge diaphragmatic defect and phrenic nerve palsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Surgical Case Reports is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)