Conservative management of traumatic lung hernia

Abstract

Traumatic lung hernia is a rare entity. The majority of cases reported in the literature have been treated surgically with early thoracotomy to prevent strangulation of pulmonary tissue. We report the case of a 63-year-old patient who experienced a 20-foot fall, causing multiple rib fractures with a lung hernia that was managed conservatively for 48 hours followed by spontaneous resolution of the herniated pulmonary segment. There is a need to review the indications for surgical versus conservative approach in the management of posttraumatic lung hernia.