[Traumatic aortic rupture--an emergency indication?].

On the basis of a retrospective analysis that included 22 patients with traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta, the appropriate time for surgical intervention will be evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups according to their clinical status at the time of surgery. Seven patients with unstable vital systems underwent immediate surgery; 5 out of 7 died intraoperatively. Because of either the surgeons decision or delayed diagnosis, 15 patients underwent surgical repair of the aorta after various time intervals; 3 of these expired late after the operation. These results indicate that the timing of surgical intervention in the stable covered aortic rupture with serious associated injuries should preferably be deferred until after the patients condition has stabilized.