DELAYED PRESENTATION OF TRAUMATIC PARASTERNAL LUNG HERNIA

Traumatic lung herniation is an unusual clinical problem. This case re port describes a morbidly obese individual who sustained significant c hest trauma in a motor vehicle accident. Lung herniation was noted at the time of delayed respiratory failure necessitating ventilation. The significance of the lung hernia in this patient's respiratory failure is uncertain. The lung hernia was repaired surgically to relieve pain , prevent incarceration, and optimize respiratory function, After a br ief period of postoperative ventilation, the patient recovered markedl y and has been well since. (C) 1998 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeon s.