Grave thoraco-intestinal complication secondary to an undetected traumatic rupture of the diaphragm: a case report.

This is the first report on a primarily established empyema at the time of first surgical intervention for feco-pneumothorax secondary to delayed diagnosed diaphragmatic rupture following abdomino-thoracic blunt trauma with colic perforation into the pleural space, requiring repetitive surgical debridement in order to control local and systemic sepsis. Thorough investigation should always be undertaken in cases of blunt abdominal and thoracic trauma to exclude diaphragmatic injury in order to avoid post-traumatic complications.