Diaphragmatic rupture due to violent cough during tracheostomy

We present herein a rare case of diaphragmatic rupture due to violent coughing during tracheostomy. A 73-year-old man was admitted with cough, hoarseness and dysphagia caused by a huge laryngeal cancer obstructing the airways. Immediate emergency tracheostomy was performed, during which he experienced violent paroxysmal coughing, and he began to complain of right upper abdominal discomfort after tracheostomy. Chest radiography and computed tomography 4 days later showed right diaphragmatic rupture, through which small bowel loops had herniated into the right hemithorax. Diaphragmatic rupture with a 20-cm long fresh oblique tear was repaired through subsequent surgical treatment. Violent paroxysmal coughing during tracheostomy was considered likely to have caused this rare complication.