R R

What Is Diaphragm Resection?

Diaphragm resection is surgery that removes part or, less commonly, most of the diaphragm when disease cannot be cleared without taking the involved muscle. It is performed for selected primary diaphragm tumors, cancers that directly invade the diaphragm, endometriosis, infection, or other destructive conditions. The diaphragm separates the chest from the abdomen and is a major muscle of breathing, so any significant defect must be repaired or reconstructed. The extent of resection depends on the disease margin, location, and amount of healthy diaphragm that can be preserved.

Link to This Resource Page

Provide a valuable resource to your clients or customers by linking to this resource page. Just place the following link on your website.

To display this...

What Is Diaphragm Resection?

Diaphragm resection is surgery that removes part or, less commonly, most of the diaphragm when disease cannot be cleared without taking the involved muscle. It is performed for selected primary diaphragm tumors, cancers that directly invade the diaphragm, endometriosis, infection, or other destructive conditions. The diaphragm separates the chest from the abdomen and is a major muscle of breathing, so any significant defect must be repaired or reconstructed. The extent of resection depends on the disease margin, location, and amount of healthy diaphragm that can be preserved.

read more about diaphragm resection ...

Copy this HTML:

Copy HTML Copied!

Why Is Diaphragm Resection Performed?

The procedure is most commonly performed when a tumor involving the diaphragm requires complete surgical removal with an adequate margin. Secondary involvement from nearby lung, liver, chest-wall, or abdominal tumors is more common than a primary malignant diaphragm tumor. Selected benign tumors, recurrent endometriosis, severe infection, or damaged tissue can also require resection when simpler treatment is not sufficient. Surgical planning considers the size and location of the abnormal tissue, involvement of nearby organs, expected respiratory function, and how the resulting defect will be reconstructed.

How Is Diaphragm Resection Performed?

The surgeon removes the involved diaphragm tissue through a thoracic, abdominal, or combined approach depending on the disease and nearby structures. Small defects can often be closed directly with strong sutures when the remaining diaphragm reaches without excessive tension. Larger defects generally require reconstruction with synthetic mesh, biologic material, or selected autologous tissue to separate the chest and abdomen securely. Resection of adjacent lung, liver, chest wall, pericardium, or other tissue can be performed during the same operation when disease extends beyond the diaphragm.

What Is Recovery Like After Diaphragm Resection?

Recovery depends on the size of the resection and whether other chest or abdominal organs were operated on at the same time. Pain control and pulmonary therapy are emphasized because deep breathing and coughing are needed to reduce the risk of atelectasis and pneumonia. Patients gradually resume walking and activity while chest tubes, drains, wounds, and the diaphragm reconstruction are monitored. Follow-up can include imaging to assess healing, tumor control, and any late bulging or herniation through the repaired area.

What Are the Risks and Complications?

Possible complications include bleeding, infection, pneumonia, respiratory failure, blood clots, wound problems, and injury to nearby organs. A repair under excessive tension can fail, while mesh or another prosthetic reconstruction can become infected or separate from its fixation. Inadequate reconstruction can allow abdominal organs to herniate into the chest and can impair respiratory mechanics. Cancer recurrence can also occur despite complete diaphragm resection when the underlying malignancy is aggressive.

Frequently Asked Questions About Diaphragm Resection

Does the diaphragm always need reconstruction after resection?

A small defect can often be closed directly, but larger or complete defects generally require mesh, biologic material, or another reconstructive technique.

Why can removing part of the diaphragm affect breathing?

The diaphragm is the main muscle that expands the chest during inspiration, so a large resection or failed reconstruction can reduce normal respiratory mechanics.

Can other organs be removed during diaphragm resection?

Yes. When a tumor crosses tissue planes, the surgeon can remove involved lung, liver, chest wall, pericardium, or other structures together with the diaphragm.

Can a hernia develop after diaphragm resection?

Yes. Failure or stretching of the repair can allow abdominal organs to move into the chest, which can require further surgical repair.

References

Reconstructive Techniques for Diaphragm Resection. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38705660/. Date Accessed September 11, 2026.

Management of Diaphragm Tumors. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38705667/. Date Accessed September 11, 2026.

Diaphragm reconstruction combined with thoraco-abdominal wall reconstruction after tumor resection. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28857656/. Date Accessed September 11, 2026.

Reconstruction of Extensive Diaphragmatic Defects Using the Rectus Abdominis Muscle and Fascial Flap. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36999151/. Date Accessed September 11, 2026.

Diaphragmatic endometriosis minimally invasive treatment: a feasible and effective approach. PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32053018/. Date Accessed September 11, 2026.