Traumatic disruption of the thoracic aorta.

Fourteen cases of injury to the thoracic aorta treated in 1959-1981 are reviewed. Acute rupture was present in nine patients and chronic post-traumatic aneurysm in five. Most of the patients had other, associated injuries, and physical signs of the aortic injury were often scanty. Widening of the mediastinum was the most common roentgenographic finding. All the aortic ruptures were localized to the isthmus. One patient declined surgery. Another died on the operating table just before surgery was started. A third patient died peroperatively from severe bleeding when the aneurysm was dissected free. All of the other 11 patients survived operation without major complications. At follow-up (mean 10 years), ten patients were alive and well and one had died of unrelated cause. The most recent operations were performed with the aid of a TDMAC (Gott) shunt, which makes aortic repair safe and simple. Because aortic trauma often is accompanied by other, severe injuries which make transportation of the patient risky, and so as not to delay operation, the aortic lesions should be repaired at general surgical units. If necessary, a thoracic surgeon should be brought to the hospital.