A stress ulcer duodenal perforation complicating diaphragmatic rupture with multiple bone fracture in a polytrauma patient due to fall from a tree

Abstract

Polytrauma in a 55 years male due to blunt trauma like fall from a height involving fracture of long bones, undisplaced fracture pelvis, fracture multiple ribs with a preliminary diagnosis of eventration of the hemidiaphragm in a apparently hemodynamically stable patient with a normal CT scan of brain, though poses a major physiological challenge, however runs a better prognosis. But with the passing of hours as patient develops respiratory distress and chest and abdomen CECT confirms a large lacerated hemidiaphragm with herniation of abdominal visceras occupying the hemithorax with lung collapse, alarms the gravity of the injury. An uncommon stress ulcer duodenal perforation on the 2nd day of admission with ensuing pyoperitoneum further threatens the hemodynamics and enhances the morbidity and mortality. This warrants an active and prompt action by multispecialty involvement. Emergency laparotomy to address the pyoperitoneum, closure of the duodenal perforation, reduction of the herniated abdominal visceras from the hemithorax, thorough saline lavage of the abdominal and involved chest cavity, placement of intrathoracic chest tube drain, repair of the lacerated diaphragm, placement of peritoneal cavity drains and closure of the abdomen settles the issue of damage control surgery in this case. Postoperative care in the ICU with ventilator support, higher antibiotics and supportive medications, repeated laboratory and radiological tests helps in overcoming the hemodynamic crisis in such critically ill patients. Our patient subsequently developed pneumonitis and had a postoperative protracted course in the ICU and finally shifted to the general ward on 7th day of his admission.