What Researchers Did
This study describes a rare case of a diver who experienced a stomach rupture due to pressure changes during a decompression accident.
What They Found
Researchers found that the diver suffered a linear rupture on the lesser curvature of the stomach, leading to a large amount of air in the abdominal cavity. This type of rupture happens when the stomach is "excluded" (meaning both ends are blocked) and the air inside expands rapidly during a fast ascent, following Boyle-Mariotte's law.
Canadian Relevance
This study covers a diving accident, which can lead to decompression sickness, a Health Canada-recognised indication for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, this study's findings may not be generalizable to all diving accidents or individuals.