A Case Study of Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia and Surgical Repair in Dogs at Kaduna Veterinary Clinic

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia occurs when blunt abdominal trauma disrupts the integrity of the diaphragm, allowing abdominal viscera to enter the thoracic cavity and resulting in potentially fatal cardiorespiratory compromise. This case study describes a series of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia cases presented and surgically managed at the Kaduna Veterinary Clinic in Kaduna State, North West Nigeria, from January 2022 to December 2023. Eighteen dogs with confirmed traumatic diaphragmatic hernia were included based on history of trauma, clinical signs, and radiographic confirmation. Thoracic radiography revealed loss of diaphragmatic silhouette and displacement of thoracic structures in all cases, with gastrointestinal contents within the pleural space confirmed in 78% of patients. Emergency surgical repair via a transabdominal approach was performed in all 18 cases under general inhalation anesthesia. Intestinal loop, liver, and spleen were the most frequently herniated organs. Postoperative complications including pneumothorax and re-expansion pulmonary edema occurred in 22% of cases. Survival to discharge was 78%. Length of hospital stay post-repair averaged 4.6 days. Road traffic accidents were responsible for 72% of hernia events. Early surgical intervention within 24 hours of presentation was associated with higher survival rates. This series contributes essential local data on management outcomes and supports training initiatives for emergency thoracic surgery in North Western Nigeria. Keywords: diaphragmatic hernia, thoracic surgery, canine trauma, Kaduna, radiographic diagnosis.