A unique case of matching diaphragmatic herniation simultaneously sustained by a married couple following trauma

This case describes two patients who simultaneously presented to a major trauma centre (MTC) with a shared finding of a traumatic diaphragmatic injury (TDI) with herniation. The patients were a married couple involved in a road traffic collision, with significant intrusion into their vehicle. They each presented with signs of injury to the chest wall but no direct suspicion of diaphragmatic injury until imaging, which was then explored further and managed operatively. They were both transferred directly from resus to theatre and underwent trauma laparotomies. Both had a successful recovery and had no long-term complications as a consequence of the injury. This very rare finding led to a comparison of their injuries and subsequent analysis of our current understanding of TDI with herniation and its management.