METHODS: A 19-year-old woman presented at gestation of 31+2 weeks with continuous distension pain for 3 d in the left lumbar region of no obvious cause. Ultrasonographic findings of left ureterectasis, with nonspecific lumbago and abdominal pain, led to the misdiagnosis of renal colic. Increased serum amylase and/or lipase levels indicated acute pancreatitis. Following the treatment of pancreatitis, her condition deteriorated. The patient was finally diagnosed with a diaphragmatic hernia complicated with mild acute pancreatitis on magnetic resonance imaging at our hospital. Caesarean section was performed at gestation of 31+6 weeks, followed by hernia repair, and the pancreatitis was treated sequentially. The patient was discharged in good condition 20 d after the surgery.
CONCLUSIONS: In this case, surgical treatment was not the same as that for non-pregnant diaphragmatic hernia repair. It is important to first perform a cesarean section before commencing the therapy.