While the literature on diaphragmatic hernia is fairly voluminous, there seem to be very few reported cases of operation with recovery; many of the cases were discovered post mortem; in others the patients died following operation. A synopsis follows of those discovered after a fairly extensive search.
CASE 1.
—A patient1 of 23; diagnosis, obstruction of bowels. Operation through median incision above navel; colon found passing through rent in diaphragm; second incision along border of costal arch; colon being firmly attached, hernia could not be reduced; artificial anus made (colostomy). Recovery with subsequent closure of colostomy opening.
CASE 2.
—Male,2 aged 18; signs of obstruction after violent exercise. Incision through rectus in upper abdomen; transverse colon, omentum and greater part of stomach protrude through rent in the diaphragm 3½ inches long; omentum adherent to pleura; thorax then opened by rib resection; hernia reduced; patient's condition too low to