March 19, 2026 : Doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Raipur, have successfully treated a young man suffering from a rare and life-threatening traumatic diaphragmatic rupture, highlighting the importance of timely diagnosis and advanced surgical care.
The patient sustained injuries on the night of February 22, 2026, after falling nearly eight feet from the first floor of a construction site in Mahasamund district. Despite the fall, he remained conscious and did not show any obvious external injuries.
The following day, he visited Government Medical College, Mahasamund, complaining of chest pain and mild breathlessness. He received symptomatic treatment and was discharged. However, as his condition worsened, he approached a private hospital, where a CT scan revealed serious internal damage. He was then referred to AIIMS Raipur for specialised treatment.
Detailed imaging at AIIMS revealed a large rupture, measuring approximately 7×8 cm, in the left diaphragm. The injury had caused abdominal organs, including the stomach, part of the liver, and colon, to shift into the chest cavity. This resulted in left-sided haemothorax. The patient also had multiple rib fractures on both sides, thoracic spine fractures, and fractures in both upper and lower limbs. The absence of significant external injuries made the case particularly complex.
An emergency surgery was carried out by a team from the Department of General Surgery led by Dr. Radhakrishna Ramchandani, along with Dr. Jeevan Verma, Dr. Abhinav Kumar, Dr. Aishwarya, and Dr. Shyam Sunder. The team performed a combined thoraco-abdominal procedure, repositioned the displaced organs, controlled internal bleeding, and repaired the diaphragm using mesh reinforcement. An intercostal drainage tube was also placed.
Anaesthesia support was provided by Dr. Sachin and Dr. Navpreet, with a multidisciplinary team assisting in peri-operative care.
After the surgery, the patient was monitored in the Intensive Care Unit and showed steady recovery. He was discharged after around 15 days of hospitalisation.
Doctors at AIIMS Raipur noted that traumatic diaphragmatic rupture with organ herniation into the chest is a rare but potentially fatal condition. They stressed that early detection, prompt referral, and timely surgical intervention played a crucial role in saving the patient’s life.
Lieutenant General Ashok Jindal (Retd.), Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Raipur, commended the medical team for their coordinated efforts in managing this complex case.
