Left diaphragmatic hernia complicated by perforation of an intrathoracic gastric ulcer into the aorta: Report of a case

We describe herein a rare but fatal complication of diaphragmatic hernia th at occurred in a 51-year-old man 3 years after his diaphragm had been repai red by a polytetrafluoroethylene sheet following resection during pleuropne umonectomy for a left pleural mesothelioma, He was admitted to our hospital in shock status, and was found to have massive bleeding from the nasogastr ic tube. An emergency operation revealed that an ulcer of the stomach, whic h had been displaced into the left thorax, had perforated directly into the descending aorta.